In a near repeat of a mission which took place earlier this month on 6 September 2023, China has launched another Yaogan 33 satellite from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, northwest China. This mission lifted-off at 2015 GMT on 26 September also utilising the Long March 4C vehicle like the previous mission. The new satellite, Yaogan 33-4, also reportedly built by SAST, is stated to have the same functions as its sibling unit: scientific experimentation; land surveying; and disaster relief & prevention purposes, according to Chinese state media. However, like the preceding satellite this unit too is suspected by Western analysts to have a more military-focused role.
The Long March 4C rocket lifts-off carrying the Yaogan 33-04 satellite. Courtesy: Xinhua/Wang Jiangbo
