Beijing, Aug 10 (IANS): China launched a new high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging satellite in northern Shanxi province on Wednesday.

The Gaofen-3 satellite was launched off on the back of a Long March 4C rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre, Xinhua news agency cited the centre as revealing. It was the 233rd flight mission by a Long March carrier rocket.

As China's first SAR imaging satellite that is accurate to one metre in distance, it covers the globe with an all-weather, 24-hour observation service and will be used for disaster warning, weather forecasting, water resource assessments, and the protection of maritime rights.

With 12 imaging modes, the high-definition observation satellite is capable of taking wide pictures of the Earth and photographing detailed scenarios of specific areas.

Gaofen-3 is also China's first low orbit remote sensing satellite that has a lifespan of eight years. It is able to provide high-definition remote sensing data for its users over long periods of time.