At 10:31 a.m. Beijing Time on December 15, 2009, China’s Long March 4C (LM-4C) launch vehicle conducted a launch in Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, successfully sending Yaogan VIII remote-sensing satellite into space. Along on board was China’s first public-welfare micro-satellite “Hope I”, which was successfully put into a predetermined solar synchronous orbit.
Yaogan VIII satellite is designed and manufactured by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), subordinated to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. (CASC). It will be mainly used for scientific space experiment, land resources survey, crop yield estimates and disaster prevention and reduction.
Hope I is the first public-welfare micro-satellite designed and manufactured by China Spacesat Co. Ltd. subordinated to CASC, which will be used to help the country's young people experience aerospace science and technology.
LM-4C launch vehicle is also developed by SAST. The launch marks the 18th consecutive successful flight of LM-4 series launch vehicle since its maiden flight and the 121st flight of Long March series launch vehicles.