BEIJING

China on Thursday sent Yaogan-class earth observation satellites with remote sensing capabilities into space.

The third group of "Yaogan-39" satellites was launched from the Shichang Satellite Center in the province of Ratuan on a Long March 2D rocket, according to the Chinese news agency Xinhua.

The launch was the 490th mission carried out with Long March rockets.

China launched the first group of "Yaogan-39" satellites into space on Aug. 31, and the second group on Sept. 17.

Yaogan means "remote sensing" in Chinese.

According to some Western sources, the Yaogan-class satellites are used for military intelligence purposes and are controlled by the Strategic Support Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, which is responsible for space, cyberspace, and electronic warfare.

*Writing by Merve Berker in Ankara