China releases first images by Gaofen-1 satellite

China has released 13 images taken by its first high-definition earth observation satellite "Gaofen-1".

The images have been released by the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense. They give large-scale, high-definition pictures of four cites across the country: Beijing, Shanghai, Yinchuan in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Datong in north China's Shanxi Province.

The panchromatic and multi-spectral images prove that the satellite is capable of taking multiple images at one time.

The "Gaofen-1" was launched by a Long March-2D carrier rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gansu Province on April 26. It will undergo application testing in mid-July.

The satellite can provide service for more than 20 ministries and commissions of the country, including the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Land and Resources.