Subscribe free to our newsletters via your
. 24/7 Space News .




EARTH OBSERVATION
China launches high-definition earth observation satellite
by Staff Writers
Beijing (XNA) May 01, 2013


The rocket also carried three small satellites made by Ecuador, Argentina and Turkey as well as two satellite splitters from the Netherlands.

China sent high-definition earth observation satellite "Gaofen 1" into space shortly after noon on Friday, marking the start of a program that will substantially improve its capabilities in disaster relief, resources and environment survey.

The satellite unfolded its solar panel in orbit at 12:39 p.m. after its carrier - a Long March-2D rocket - was launched from northwest China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 12:13 p.m. Beijing time, announced the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence (SASTIND).

Developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, Gaofen-1 will be followed into space by another four of five satellites before the end of 2016 to form the high-definition earth observation system (HDEOS).

By improving the precision and timeliness of data provision, the satellite could play an important role in disaster relief in a country that is a frequent sufferer from such incidents.

Disaster relief work following the quake pointed to a lack of precise and timely data, despite the help of several remote sensing satellites and the Beidou positioning system. Gaofen 1 can fill the gaps for more reasonable policy making.

It could also improve land resources surveying, environmental monitoring, geographical mapping as well as precision agriculture.

The major users of the satellite will be the Ministry of Land and Resources, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Ministry of Agriculture, said the SASTIND, adding that the launch is of great significance in improving China's satellite development level and increasing its self-sufficiency in high-definition remote sensing data.

There are over 50 countries to date that own or operate earth observation satellites, and the data they collect is widely used for economic and social activities and in other science research fields.

China set up the special project for the HDEOS development in 2006. It received government approval and was initiated in 2010. According to the project, the country will establish an earth observation system capable of great precision in time, space and spectral aspects, and integrate it with other measures to build an observation system with all-weather, round-the-clock and global coverage.

The rocket also carried three small satellites made by Ecuador, Argentina and Turkey as well as two satellite splitters from the Netherlands.

It is the 19th launch of a Long March-2D and the second time that the rocket carried foreign satellites after it sent a Venezuelan satellite into space last year.

It is also the 175th launch of the Long March rocket series.

Source: Xinhua News Agency

.


Related Links
China National Space Administration
Earth Observation News - Suppiliers, Technology and Application






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle








EARTH OBSERVATION
Satrec Initiative of South Korea Continues Collaboration with UAE for DubaiSat-3 Program
Daejeon, South Korea (SPX) Apr 25, 2013
Satrec Initiative (SI) of South Korea and the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) of United Arab Emirates jointly announced the development program of the DubaiSat-3 Earth observation small satellite system during a press conference held in Dubai. DubaiSat-3 will be a state-of-the-art small satellite carrying an electro-optical camera with 0.7-meter resolution ... read more


EARTH OBSERVATION
Characterizing The Lunar Radiation Environment

Russia rekindles Moon exploration program, intends setting up first human outposts there

Pre-existing mineralogy may survive lunar impacts

Lunar cycle determines hunting behaviour of nocturnal gulls

EARTH OBSERVATION
Dutch reality show seeks one-way astronauts for Mars

Accurate pointing by Curiosity

NASA Mars Orbiter Images May Show 1971 Soviet Lander

Opportunity is in position for solar conjunction at 'Cape York' on the rim of Endeavour Crater

EARTH OBSERVATION
NASA's Chief Defends Commercial Spaceflight Agreements

NASA Invites the Public to Fly Along with Voyager

Google's Brin keeps spotlight on future technologies

Mysterious water on Jupiter came from comet smash

EARTH OBSERVATION
Yuanwang III, VI depart for space-tracking missions

Shenzhou's Shadow Crew

Shenzhou 10 sent to launch site

China's Next Women Astronauts

EARTH OBSERVATION
NASA Extends Crew Flight Contract with Russian Space Agency

Cargo spaceship docks with ISS despite antenna mishap

ISS Communications Test Bed Checks Out; Experiments Begin

Spacewalkers Deploy Plasma Experiment, Install Navigational Aid

EARTH OBSERVATION
O3b Networks' first four satellites arrive for the next Arianespace Soyuz launch

On the record with... Stephane Israel, Arianespace Chairman and CEO

Vega's three-satellite payload is integrated and ready for launch

NASA Seeks Innovative Suborbital Flight Technology Proposals

EARTH OBSERVATION
Astronomer studies far-off worlds through 'characterization by proxy'

Mysterious Hot Spots Observed In A Cool Red Supergiant

Orbital Selected By NASA for TESS Astrophysics Satellite

Star-and Planet-Forming Regions May Hold Key to Life's Chirality

EARTH OBSERVATION
NASA, Air Force Seek Next Generation Space Processor Program

The Day NASA's Fermi Dodged a 1.5-ton Bullet

Snap-proof space tether

NASA, Partners Solicit Creative Materials Manufacturing Solutions




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2014 - Space Media Network. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement