Remote sensing satellites refer to those tasked with observing, surveying and measuring objects on land or at sea as well as monitoring weather.

Developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, the Gaofen 12E will obtain images and data to be used in land mapping, urban construction planning, agricultural yield forecasting and disaster prevention and mitigation, the company said.

China launched the Gaofen program in May 2010 and listed it as one of the 16 national important projects in science and technology. By now, the program has established a massive space-based system with more than 30 satellites in active service.