China launched the Yaogan-2 remote sensing satellite May 25 aboard a Long March 2D, according to the state-controlled Xinhua. The satellite was designed by the China Academy of Space Technology to conduct scientific research, survey land resources, estimate crop yields and forecast natural disasters. The spacecraft joins Yaogan-1, which has been in orbit since April 2006.

The mission also carried a picosatellite that is designed to conduct research into microelectronics.