China: China sent on Thursday a new marine satellite into orbit from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. The 1,500-kilogram Haiyang-2E satellite was launched aboard a Long March-4B carrier rocket and successfully sent the satellite into its planned orbit.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Haiyang-2E satellite will be used to monitor the world's ocean environment, measuring its waves, temperatures, and wind patterns. The launch marked the 654th mission of China's Long March rocket series.

Mission number 653 in the Long March rocket series was launched on June 23, carrying a satellite dedicated to advanced technological testing.