JIUQUAN, Dec. 29 (China Space News) -- China successfully sent six atmospheric environment research satellites and a an experimental satellite, "Chongqing" (Hongyan 1) into orbit Saturday.

They were launched by a Long March-2D rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 4:00 p.m.

The six Yunhai-2 satellites will be used to study atmospheric environment, monitor space environment, prevent and reduce disasters, and conduct scientific experiments.

This launch was the 297th mission of the Long March rocket series.