China, in just barely less than a week, has sent again into orbit another remote-sensing satellite. Although this time, it has yet to confirm that this particular one launched was a spy satellite.

On Thursday, China successfully sent into space the remote-sensing satellite Yaogan XIIII from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The satellite was carried into space aboard a Long March 4B carrier rocket which blasted off at mid-afternoon, according to the center.

As expected, Chinese authorities said the satellite "will be used to conduct scientific experiments, carry out surveys on land resources, monitor crop yields and help with natural disaster-reduction and prevention."

Western analysts, however, according to NASASpaceFlight.com, said these types of satellites are meant to serve military purposes.

The Yaogan series of satellites, according to SpaceflightNow.com, gather optical and radar reconnaissance imagery for Chinese military and intelligence agencies.

"Yaogan 14 may carry an optical imager designed to gather high-resolution photos of strategic sites around the world."

Xinhua news agency further reported that a tiny satellite named Tiantuo I was also sent into orbit along with Yaogan XIIII. Tiantuo 1 is a 20-pound satellite meant for optical imaging experiments, space environment studies, and the reception of Automatic Identification System tracking signals from marine vessels.

According to NASASpaceFlight.com, the first of China's Yaogan-type satellite was launched on April 2006.

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