China launches HD Earth observation satellite (1/4)

A Long March-4B carrier rocket carrying the Gaofen-2 satellite blasts off from the launch pad at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi province, Aug 19, 2014. China successfully launched Gaofen-2, a high-definition Earth observation satellite, into orbit on Tuesday, according to the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND). 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/Liu Chan)