Last Wednesday morning, China placed two satellites into orbit after they were successfully launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. Chuangxin 1-02 and Shiyan Satellite 3 were launched via a Long March 2D carrier rocket. The smaller satellite, the Chuangxin 1-02, was developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It will be used to collect and relay hydrological and meteorological data and data for disaster relief. The Shiyan Satellite 3 will be used for experiments on new technologies in atmospheric exploration, according to its main developer, the Harbin Institute of Technology. The launch was the 112th of China's Long March series of rockets. (Photo courtesy of Xinhua)