China successfully launched a high-definition Earth observation satellite into orbit on Tuesday, according to the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND).

The Gaofen-2 was launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province at 11:15 a.m. Beijing Time. It was boosted by a Long March-4B carrier rocket.

It is China's most advanced high-definition Earth observation satellite, and is able to see a one-meter-long object in full color.

It will be used for geographic and resources surveys, environment and climate change monitoring, precision agriculture, disaster relief and city planning.

(Xinhua News Agency August 19, 2014)