China launched a new remote sensing satellite early Monday for a variety of civilian applications, according to state media reports.

The Yaogan 4 satellite launched aboard a Long March 2D rocket at 0442 GMT Monday, or during the early afternoon in China.

The two-stage booster lifted off from the Jiuquan space center in northwestern China, according to the Xinhua news agency.

Satellite tracking data indicates the rocket deployed the spacecraft in a sun-synchronous orbit about 400 miles high.

Chinese officials announced the launch less than 24 hours in advance.

Yaogan 4 will be used for scientific research, land resources surveys, crop yield studies and disaster relief applications, Xinhua reported.

Two previous satellites in the Yaogan series flew into space from the Taiyuan launch space aboard larger rockets. Yaogan 2 launched from Jiuquan last year.

China claimed all three previous Yaogan satellites would also be used for civilian purposes.

The satellites could be used for a range of military reconnaissance applications, but Chinese officials did not release any further details on satellites' missions.

Monday's launch was the 9th launch of the year for the Chinese space program.