China launches new Gaofen-11 excessive decision spy satellite tv for pc

HELSINKI — China added a fifth Gaofen-11 excessive decision satellite tv for pc to its CHEOS constellation with a launch late Thursday.

A Lengthy March 4B rocket lifted off at 11:03 p.m. Japanese July 18 (0303 UTC, July 19) from Taiyuan Satellite tv for pc Launch Middle, north China. The launcher carried the Gaofen-11 (05) excessive decision optical earth statement satellite tv for pc. The China Aerospace Science and Expertise Company (CASC) declared launch success shortly after in a assertion.

Airspace closure notices preceded and notified of the deliberate launch. The payload was solely revealed after launch success was declared.

The satellite tv for pc provides to China’s excessive decision Earth statement capabilities. CASC states the satellite tv for pc shall be used for functions for land survey, city planning, land rights affirmation, street community design, crop yield estimation, and catastrophe prevention and mitigation.

The assertion offered no pictures nor particulars of the satellite tv for pc. Gaofen-11 satellites are regarded as amongst China’s most succesful optical satellites nevertheless.

Earlier Gaofen-11 missions and feedback present clues as to the character and capabilities of the satellite tv for pc. The 4 earlier Gaofen-11 satellites launched on Lengthy March 4B rockets. The satellites are in near-polar, roughly 500-kilometer-altitude orbits. 

State tv confirmed an obvious render of the primary Gaofen-11 launched in 2018. The mission management display screen depicted the satellite tv for pc connected to the Lengthy March 4B higher stage in orbit. It suggests the Gaofen-11 sequence have massive (1.5-meter-diameter-plus) apertures for optical distant sensing.

An article printed by the Chinese language Society for Geodesy, Photogrammetry and Cartography (Chinese language) in November 2020 states that Gaofen-11 has the aptitude to return optical imagery at a decision on the order of round 10 centimeters.

Gaofen satellites type the civilian China Excessive-resolution Earth Commentary System (CHEOS). Optical, multispectral, hyperspectral and artificial aperture radar satellites make up CHEOS.

Detailed data concerning decision and capabilities has been printed for Gaofen sequence satellites numbered 1-7. Nonetheless data for Gaofen satellites numbered 8 and above has not been overtly launched. This means the satellites are no less than partially for navy clients.

The launch was China’s thirty third orbital mission of 2024. CASC acknowledged early within the yr that the nation was aiming to launch round 100 instances. This contains round 70 launches by CASC—China’s state-owned predominant area contractor—and 30 from industrial suppliers. 

Main launches embody the efficiently accomplished Chang’e-6 lunar far facet pattern return mission. Tiangong area station cargo and crew missions will comply with within the coming months.

The deliberate first orbital launch of the Tianlong-3 rocket from industrial outfit House Pioneer seems in critical doubt following an unintentional and catastrophic launch of its first stage throughout a deliberate static-fire check late June. The aftermath may even see the rocket delayed into 2025.

CASC is presently getting ready for the primary launch of the Lengthy March 12. The rocket shall be able to sending as much as 12,00 kilograms to low Earth orbit or 6,000 kg to sun-synchronous orbit.

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