China launches land exploration satellite via Long March-2D rocket

China launched a land resources exploration satellite into a preset orbit from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi desert at 3:10 p.m. Saturday Beijing Time. 

China launches a land resources exploration satellite into a preset orbit from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi desert, China, on Jan. 13, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua]

A Long March-2D rocket carried the satellite into space. 

China launches a land resources exploration satellite into a preset orbit from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi desert, China, on Jan. 13, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua]

The launch was the 263th mission of the Long March rocket series.

China launches a land resources exploration satellite into a preset orbit from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi desert, China, on Jan. 13, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua]