On August 23, 2020, China launched its fifth Gaofen-9 series satellite named “Gaofen-9 05” along with two smaller payloads viz. Tiantuo-5 and Duo Gongneng Shiyan Weixing through Long March-2D carrier rocket from its Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre (JSLC) in northwest China. This launch was the 343rd mission of the Long March rocket series and the 23rd for China in 2020.
- Gaofen-9 (05) is an optical remote sensing satellite developed by Aerospace Dongfanghong Satellite Co.Ltd, part of China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).
- Tiantuo-5, a small satellite is developed by the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) as an experimental satellite carrying remote sensing and other payloads.
- A multi-functional test satellite, Duo Gongneng Shiyan Weixing is developed by the People’s Liberation Army which will test and verify new technologies related to communications, navigation, and remote sensing.
- The major upcoming Chinese mission in 2020, probably in November, is the Chang’e-5 lunar sample return.
About Gaofen Satellites:
Initiated in 2010, the Gaofen satellites series are nominally part of the civilian China High-resolution Earth Observation System (CHEOS) to provide all-weather, all-day coverage with optical and synthetic aperture radar satellites. Land surveying, urban planning, road network design, agriculture and disaster relief are the main uses of Gaofen satellites.
About Long March 2D:
The Long March 2D (Chang Zheng-2D) launch vehicle is a two-stage rocket developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) to launch a variety of low earth orbit satellites.
Recent Related News:
On July 25, 2020, China sent a new high-resolution mapping satellite named “Ziyuan III 03”, developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, along with two small satellites viz. Tianqi 10 and Lobster Eye 1 into space by Long March-4B carrier rocket from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in the Northern Province of Shanxi, China.
About China:
Capital– Beijing
Currency– Renminbi
President– Xi Jinping
