Yaogan satellites

China recently launched Changsei 2C rocket from the Xichang satellite launch centre. It is a Yaogan satellite. This satellite has joined the previous seven groups in orbit that were launched after 2017.

About the launch

• China launched three Yaogan-30 satellites and Tianqi-12 satellite in its Long March 2C. It was launched from Jiuquan Launch Centre in Gobi desert.
• Prior to the Yaogan-30 mission, Yaogan-34 satellite was launched.
• China is planning to launch forty satellites in 2021.
• In May 2021, Tianzhou-2 Cargo and refuelling spacecraft is to be launched. It is a part of Tiangong Space Station.

Yaogan satellites

It is a series of Chinese Reconnaissance satellites. Reconnaissance satellite is a spy satellite deployed for military or intelligence applications. However, Chinese claim that Yaogan satellites are launched for land survey, crop yield assessment, scientific experiment and disaster monitoring.