China launches new mapping satellites to enhance radar imaging network

Written by Copernical Team Wednesday, 27 November 2024 10:19

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Sydney, Australia (SPX) Nov 26, 2024

China successfully launched two new satellites aboard a Long March-2C rocket early Monday morning, bolstering its satellite imaging capabilities. The launch occurred at 7:39 a.m. Beijing Time from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. The mission placed the Siwei Gaojing-2 03 and Siwei Gaojing-2 04 satellites into their designated orbits, marking the 547th mission in the

China launches new mapping satellites to enhance radar imaging network
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Nov 26, 2024

China successfully launched two new satellites aboard a Long March-2C rocket early Monday morning, bolstering its satellite imaging capabilities.

The launch occurred at 7:39 a.m. Beijing Time from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. The mission placed the Siwei Gaojing-2 03 and Siwei Gaojing-2 04 satellites into their designated orbits, marking the 547th mission in the Long March rocket series.

Developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, these commercial microwave mapping satellites are owned by China Siwei Surveying and Mapping Technology Co., Ltd. The new satellites are equipped with high-precision radar systems capable of producing advanced, high-resolution images under all-weather and day-and-night conditions.

The newly deployed satellites will integrate with an existing network of optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites, enhancing services that combine optical imagery with radar imaging. Unlike traditional optical satellites, SAR systems rely on radio waves, allowing them to capture detailed images regardless of sunlight or weather conditions.

The Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology highlighted that new technologies incorporated in these satellites boost payload efficiency by 25% and significantly improve the accuracy of surveying and mapping outputs. These advancements address the growing demand in China for high-quality commercial surveying and mapping data.

The satellites are expected to play critical roles in diverse fields such as natural resource management, urban safety, emergency response, and maritime applications. Their high-resolution radar imaging capabilities will also support the monitoring of agricultural activities, ecological conditions, and the updating of foundational mapping data.

In disaster management, the satellites promise significant benefits by rapidly assessing the extent of natural disasters, regardless of weather conditions. This capability enables early detection and response to floods and geological events, earning the satellites the distinction of being "the first line of defense for disaster prevention and reduction," according to the academy.