Lifting off at 3:56 pm, the rocket delivered the Zhangheng 1B into its designated orbit. This satellite marks China's first dedicated spacecraft for monitoring Earth's geophysical fields and reinforces the nation's capacity for observing and responding to natural disasters from space.
The Zhangheng 1B was developed under a 2019 memorandum of understanding between China and Italy. It features nine scientific instruments, including an electric field detector jointly developed by the two nations and a high-energy particle detector designed in Italy. The satellite is expected to operate for six years.
Its core mission involves near real-time measurements of global electromagnetic fields, electromagnetic waves, the ionosphere, and the neutral atmosphere. It will also detect electromagnetic irregularities related to geological and human activity, as well as atmospheric lightning and thunderstorm data.
The system is intended to improve China's early detection and risk analysis capabilities for disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and severe storms. Additionally, Zhangheng 1B will contribute data for emergency response planning, resource mapping, and communication and navigation support.
The new satellite builds on the legacy of Zhangheng 1A, launched in 2018, which continues to operate in orbit. While Zhangheng 1A carries six instruments focused on earthquake-related phenomena, the newer satellite uses upgraded payloads and a broader sensing range. Both spacecraft now operate in coordinated phases within the same orbital plane to enhance observational resolution and effectiveness.
Related Links
CSES (China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite) Zhangheng Mission
Earth Observation News - Suppiliers, Technology and Application
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