China launches YG-14 optical satellite

The Yaogan 14 launches on a Long March 4B

China adds yet more eyes in the sky in China's seventh launch so far this year 

China launched the 14th of the Yaogan family of orbiters from the Taiyuan Space Centre in Shanxi province on 10 May, adding to a growing constellation of satellites that are believed to have military applications. 

Western analysts believe the Yaogan series consists of electro-optical synthetic aperture radars for use by the Chinese military. Reports claim that YG-14 may represent a new class of high-resolution optical observation satellite using sensors developed by the 508 Institute of the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and the Changchun Institute of Optics. 

My article, published today in Jane's Defence Weekly, continues here (subscription required).