On April 16, the mainland launched an atmospheric environment monitoring satellite using a Long March 4 C carrier rocket at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. The satellite will promote remote sensing applications in the ecological environment, meteorology, agriculture and rural areas of the mainland, which is of great significance to improving the comprehensive application efficiency of satellite resources and promoting environmental protection, and is the world's first satellite with carbon dioxide laser detection capabilities.
Lu Liqing, commander-in-chief of the atmospheric environment monitoring satellite of the Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, introduced that the atmospheric environment monitoring satellite is a scientific research satellite in the "National Civil Space Infrastructure Medium and Long-term Development Plan (2015-2025)", running in sun-synchronous orbit, equipped with five payloads of atmospheric detection lidar, high-precision polarization scanner, multi-angle polarization imager, ultraviolet hyperspectral atmospheric component detector and wide-format imaging spectrometer.
The picture shows before the rocket launch. Provided by the Eighth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Group
According to the information released by the China National Space Administration, the satellite uses active laser, hyperspectral, multispectral, high-precision polarization and other means to comprehensively observe, which can realize the comprehensive monitoring of atmospheric fine particulate matter, polluting gases, greenhouse gases, clouds and aerosols, as well as environmental elements such as land surfaces and water bodies.
After the satellite is put into orbit, it will further enhance the satellite application capabilities such as comprehensive monitoring of the mainland atmospheric environment, global climate change, crop yield estimation and agricultural disasters, and promote the application of satellite remote sensing data in the ecological environment, meteorology, agriculture and rural areas.
The picture shows the simulation effect of the satellite in orbit. Provided by the Eighth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Group
Zhu Wei, chief designer of the atmospheric environment monitoring satellite of the Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, introduced that in addition to the passive detection payloads such as high-precision polarization scanners, multi-angle polarization imagers, ultraviolet hyperspectral atmospheric composition detectors and wide-format imaging spectrometers, the satellites are also equipped with the active detection payload of atmospheric detection lidar for the first time in the world, which can realize the all-day and high-precision detection of carbon dioxide, and provide important data support for the strategic development of "carbon peaking and carbon neutrality" in the mainland.
"It is equivalent to five passengers fighting a space car, they hold a variety of measuring instruments, the atmosphere fine particulate matter, greenhouse gases, gaseous pollutants, clouds and aerosols and other atmospheric environment and water environment and other ecological and environmental elements for continuous and dynamic comprehensive monitoring." Zhang Yanzhao, deputy chief designer of the satellite attitude and orbit control subsystem of the Control Institute of the Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, said.
The Long March 4 C carrier rocket that performed this launch mission is a three-stage carrier rocket with ambient liquid, excellent performance and wide range of applications. For different types of satellites, the Long March 4 series carrier rockets can adopt a flexible launch plan, have the ability to launch satellites of various types and different orbit requirements, and can implement one arrow, one star or multiple satellite launches, and their sun-synchronous circular orbit carrying capacity can reach 3 tons (orbital altitude of 700 kilometers).
Reporters: Hu Zhe, Song Chen
Editor: Guo Xiaolan