Launched on December 9, 2022, Gaofen 5 01A is now fully functional and meeting all intended performance standards, as confirmed by the CNSA. The satellite's subsystems are reported to be in good condition, ensuring reliable operation in its sun-synchronous regression orbit, approximately 705 kilometers above Earth.
Zhao Jian, the director of the Earth Observation System and Data Center at the CNSA, highlighted the satellite's critical role in ecological and environmental protection, as well as pollution reduction efforts. "The satellite provides important data support for ecological environmental protection and pollution reduction work," Zhao stated, emphasizing its utility in these crucial areas.
The CNSA also revealed a range of application products derived from the Gaofen 5 01A's capabilities. These include monitoring maps for global ozone column concentration, soil moisture, sea ice, and water quality, alongside other hyperspectral data images. Zhao described these products as "an important basis for national ecological monitoring, climate change response, and natural resource surveys."
Equipped with advanced payloads, including a camera that covers the visible-to-shortwave infrared spectral range, an atmospheric trace gas differential absorption spectrometer, and a wide-range thermal infrared imaging device, Gaofen 5 01A offers a comprehensive suite of observational tools. The visible-to-shortwave infrared camera is particularly valuable for tasks such as water pollution control and mineral resource surveys. It has also shown new progress in monitoring methane anomalous emission sources.
The atmospheric trace gas differential absorption spectrometer enhances China's ability to monitor daily dynamics of atmospheric pollutants like ozone and nitrogen dioxide. This capability is vital for global atmospheric environment monitoring and governance. Meanwhile, the thermal infrared imaging device extends the satellite's utility to areas like straw burning, sea ice, and river and sea outfall monitoring.
Zhao further elaborated on the satellite's coverage capabilities, stating that Gaofen 5 01A achieves "global coverage of atmospheric environmental soundings once a day and global round-the-clock coverage of the land surface environment once every two days." This frequency and breadth of data collection are critical for maintaining up-to-date environmental assessments.
The Gaofen satellite project, initiated in 2010, represents a cornerstone of China's high-resolution Earth observation system. It plays a pivotal role in the construction of a national space infrastructure system that integrates satellite communication, remote sensing, and navigation capabilities.
Based on a Xinhua News Agency article
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China National Space Agency
Earth Observation News - Suppiliers, Technology and Application
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