A Long March-2C rocket carrying the satellite S-SAR01 lifted off at 6:53 a.m. (2253 GMT Oct. 12).
The satellite has entered the preset orbit. Its primary users will be the Ministry of Emergency Management and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Xinhua reported.
By obtaining 5-meter resolution S-band radar image data, the satellite will support disaster prevention, reduction, relief, and environmental protection.
It will also serve natural resources, water conservancy, agriculture, forestry, earthquakes, and other fields, said the China National Space Administration.
Thursday's launch was the 443rd mission by the Long March rocket series.