China launches satellite for ‘space-air-ground' integrated monitoring of natural disasters
A Long March-2D carrier rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, successfully sending the Zhangheng 1-02 satellite into its planned orbit, according to the China National Space Administration.
The satellite's deployment represents the latest achievement in enhancing the country's space-based geophysical field observation capability and will further strengthen its space-air-ground integrated monitoring ability for major natural disasters, it noted.
The administration said that the Zhangheng 1B is the result of a cooperation memorandum of understanding signed between China and Italy in 2019.
Designed with a six-year lifespan, the satellite carries nine scientific payloads, including an electric field detector co-developed by China and Italy, and a high-energy particle detector developed by Italy, reports China Daily.
The spacecraft will conduct near real-time measurement of global electromagnetic fields, electromagnetic waves, the ionosphere and the neutral atmosphere. It will also capture electromagnetic anomalies caused by geological and human activities, as well as information on thunderstorms and lightning activities in the atmosphere.
This will effectively enhance China's capabilities for early detection, risk assessment, and early warning of massive natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activities and thunderstorms.
Moreover, the satellite will provide data support for emergency management, natural resource mapping, and communication and navigation operations, and foster scientific and technological cooperation in related fields among countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, according to the release.
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