China launched 4 satellites into planned orbits aboard the Long March-2D rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Northern Shanxi Province. The satellites will be used for ecological environment monitoring, asteroid resource exploration, disaster prevention and mitigation among others.
- The 4 satellites are Beijing-3 (BJ-3), HISEA-2 (HS-2), Yangwang-1 (YW-1) and Tianjin (TJ).
- It was the 373rd flight mission of the Long March rocket series.
Purpose of the Satellites
i.The BJ-3 satellite is a commercial remote-sensing satellite developed by China Spacesat Company Ltd. It will provide services in the fields of resources survey, city management, environmental monitoring and disaster relief.
ii.HS-2 satellite will be used by Xiamen University for studying the ecological environment of the near shore and shallow sea.
iii.YW-1 satellite will be used by Shenzhen-based Origin Space Technology Ltd for asteroid resource exploration and research.
iv.TJ Satellite will be used by universities for teaching and training on in-orbit services.
1st Gen Meteorological Satellite
On June 3, 2021 China successfully launched the 1st of a new generation meteorological satellite ‘FY-4B’ into planned orbit.
- It will be used in the fields of weather analysis and forecasting, and environmental and disaster monitoring.
- According to China National Space Administration (CNSA), FY-4B will strengthen China’s observation and response capability of small and medium scale disaster events.
Recent Related News:
May 19, 2021, China launched ‘Haiyang-2D (HY-2D)’ Ocean Observation Satellite into the Orbit. It was launched by a Long March-4B rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, Gobi Desert, China.
About China National Space Administration (CNSA):
Administrator – Zhang Kejian
Headquarters – Beijing, China
