China is carrying out demonstration and research on the solar exploration plan, and the "Xihe" satellite has imaged the sun more than 290 times

On January 28, the State Council New Office held a press conference on the relevant situation of the "2021 China Aerospace" white paper, and the upstream news (report mailbox: [email protected]) reporter learned from the press conference that regarding the mainland's future sun exploration plan, scientists are currently carrying out relevant demonstration studies, which will enable us to further understand the structure of the sun, determine the characteristics of solar activity, grasp its mechanism and activity rules, better predict space weather, and benefit mankind.

▲ Zhao Jian, director of the Earth Observation and Data Center of the China National Space Administration. Image source/Guoxin.com

Zhao Jian, director of the Earth Observation and Data Center of the China National Space Administration, introduced at the press conference that the "Xihe" satellite is the first scientific and technological experimental satellite for solar exploration on the mainland. The successful launch of the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center on October 14 last year marked that the mainland officially entered the era of space exploration, and after more than three months of on-orbit tests and experiments, this satellite has completed more than 40 technical verifications of the satellite platform, more than 290 times of detection and imaging of the sun, the platform and related payloads of the satellite are stable and normal, and the functions and performance meet the general requirements for development.

Zhao Jian pointed out that the "Xihe" landing on the sky to explore the sun is following the successful realization of the lunar sampling return by the "Chang'e 5" and the successful realization of the "orbiting, falling, and patrolling" exploration of Mars by the "Tianwen-1" and within a year's time, the exploration of the earth, planets, and stars in the solar system has achieved full coverage, playing a "trio" of deep space exploration, and contributing wisdom and strength to the construction of a space power. Regarding the future solar exploration plan of the mainland, scientists are currently carrying out relevant demonstration studies, which will enable us to further understand the structure of the sun, determine the characteristics of solar activity, grasp its mechanism and activity law, better predict space weather, and benefit mankind.

Upstream journalist Li Hongpeng