A Turkish Earth observation satellite has been successfully launched into orbit from a space station in northwest China. According to a statement released by the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the satellite was launched early morning on Wednesday.

The satellite will mainly be used for environmental protection, mineral resource exploration, urban planning and disaster monitoring and management. Based on a contract signed by the China Great Wall Industry Corporation, the satellite was delivered into its pre-determined orbit by a Long March 2D carrier rocket.

This year alone, China has successfully sent 28 satellites or spacecraft into space via 19 launches. The most significant one was the first manned space docking maneuvers conducted in June.

Next year, China will carry out a manned space docking test between the orbiting target module Tiangong-1 and the Shenzhou-10 spacecraft. It will also send the Chang'e-3 moon probe into space, which is expected to land and stay on the moon's surface in the second stage of the country's lunar probe program.