China delivers two Earth observation satellites

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Two satellites of China's high-resolution Earth observation system, Gaofen-5 and Gaofen-6, have been put into operation, said the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense and the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Thursday.

This marks the formation of China's hyperspectral capabilities in Earth observation.

Gaofen-5, launched on May 9, 2018, has the highest spectral resolution of China's remote sensing satellites, and also the world's first full-spectrum hyperspectral satellite for comprehensive observation of atmosphere and land.

It can provide quality and highly reliable hyperspectral data to industries including environmental monitoring, resource exploration, and disaster prevention and mitigation, which is of strategic significance to mastering the autonomy of hyperspectral remote sensing information resources and meeting national needs.

Launched on June 2, 2018, Gaofen-6 is a high-resolution optical satellite able to perform both general and detailed surveys with high flexibility.

The constellation of Gaofen-1 and Gaofen-6 shortens the revisit period of China's land area from four days to two, improving the scale and efficiency of remote sensing data collection and self-sufficiency of data by domestic remote sensing satellites.

During the in-orbit test, the two satellites provided data monitor and control for crop and atmosphere monitoring, and emergency observation services for internal and external disasters including the Daxing'anling forest fire in June 2018 and the tsunami in Indonesia in September 2018.

According to Zhang Kejian, director of CNSA, all tasks of the in-orbit test, including tests of satellite system, ground system and satellite and earth integration index, were completed, and the performance indicators and production precision of the two satellites met the requirements of design and application.

A Gaofen-7 satellite will be launched at the end of the year, Zhang added, and the space-based construction work will be completed. The focus of the Gaofen project will turn to the construction of the application system.

(Cover: Beijing Daxing International Airport (L) and Xiamen city of southeast China's Fujian Province (R) taken by the Gaofen-6 satellite /CNSA Photo)

(CGTN's Liu Yang contributed to this story.)