A Long March-2D rocket carrying two satellites for Saudi Arabia blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, on Dec. 7, 2018. (Xinhua/Hao Wei)
RIYADH, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia launched two aerial survey satellites from China-based Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Friday, Al Arabiya TV reported.
The two satellites, named Saudi SAT 5A and Saudi SAT 5B, were manufactured by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, a Saudi government scientific institution, in October.
The satellites will be used to provide high-resolution images of the earth's surface from low orbits, and help with urban planning by monitoring movements and changes on the planet, according to the local newspaper Arab News.
As part of Saudi Vision 2030, a national plan to diversify Saudi Arabia's economy, the launch of the two satellites aims to nationalize strategic technologies and empower the Saudi youth to develop advanced technologies in the field of satellite development.