China launched a remote-sensing satellite named Yaogan-2 on May 25 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, according to the state-run newspaper Xinhua.

The satellite, launched by a Long March 2D booster rocket, was designed by the China Academy of Space Technology to conduct scientific research, land resources surveying, crop-yield estimates and disaster forecasting.

A second satellite – a pico or micro-satellite weighing approximately 1 kilogram – was also delivered aboard the launch. Developed by Zhejiang University, it was designed for use in researching micro-electronics.

The launch reportedly marked the 99th for China’s Long March series of rockets.

Yaogan-1 was launched in April 2006.