China
China has successfully launched “Gaofen-3” an earth observation satellite into orbit by the Long March 4C rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in Shanxi Province. The Gaofen-3 is China’s first low-orbit remote sensing satellite and is capable of capturing high-resolution images accurate down to about 1m. It will be used for disaster warning, weather forecasting, water resource assessments and the protection of maritime rights. The satellite has a lifespan of 8 years and will operate as an all-weather 24-hour observation platform.