China launches mapping satellite

From the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the northern Gansu province, China launched a Long March 2C rocket carrying a satellite to conduct land surveys and mapping assignments, state media reported. The orbiter is being monitored by a control center in Xi'an that is in charge of recovery operations. In a joint operation with Europe's space agency in July, China launched a satellite to investigate better monitoring of magnetic storms and other space hazards.