China has launched its fourth Yaogan-33 satellite into space on a Long March 4C rocket. The satellite was launched from the Ciuçüen Satellite Launch Center in the northwest of the country at 11:14 a.m. local time (06:14 a.m. PT).
Yaogan-33 04 is a member of China’s family of remote sensing satellites. The satellite will be used for scientific experiments, soil resource monitoring, harvest forecasting and support for disaster prevention and protection.
Yaogan-33 satellites play an important role in China’s space program. The satellites contribute to the management of China’s natural resources, disaster management and military intelligence.
Features of Yaogan-33 04
Yaogan-33 04 is a satellite with a diameter of 1.5 meters and weighing 3.5 tons. The satellite has a high-resolution camera and an array of spectral sensors.
The Yaogan-33 04 satellite is intended to provide the following benefits:
Contribute to scientific research.
Help manage land resources more efficiently.
Make harvest forecasts more accurate.
Help prevent and manage disasters faster and more effectively.
Use of Yaogan-33 04 for Military Intelligence Purposes
Some Western sources suggest that the Yaogan-class satellites are for military intelligence purposes. According to these sources, the satellites are controlled by the Strategic Support Force of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, which is responsible for space, cyber and electronic warfare.
It is not yet known for certain whether Yaogan-33 04 can be used for military intelligence purposes. However, the satellite’s characteristics make it possible for it to be used for this purpose.
