Two Environmental Protection Satellites Begin Operations in China

Two Environmental Protection Satellites Begin Operations in China
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jul 29, 2024
China has officially commenced the operation of two advanced environmental protection satellites, as announced by the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

During a handover ceremony at CNSA's headquarters in Beijing, control of the Atmospheric Environmental Surveyor and the Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Inventory Satellite was transferred to their designated users. These users include the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the China Meteorological Administration, and several ministries: ecology and environment, agriculture and rural affairs, natural resources, and emergency management.

Meng Lingjie, director of CNSA's Earth Observation and Data Center, emphasized that the two satellites reflect the Chinese government's dedication to leveraging space technology for global environmental protection. "They have world-class capabilities," Meng said.

The satellites have undergone extensive in-orbit performance tests and trial operations over the past two years. Their deployment has significantly enhanced the efficiency and accuracy of carbon sink measurements, contributing to China's carbon peaking and neutrality goals.

Launched in August 2022 from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi province, the Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Inventory Satellite, named Goumang after the ancient Chinese god of forestry and spring, operates in a sun-synchronous orbit 506 kilometers above Earth. Designed and constructed by the China Academy of Space Technology, it features four mission payloads: a laser radar, a multi-angle multispectral camera, a hyperspectral detector, and a polarization imager.

This satellite's primary function is to detect and measure vegetation biomass and atmospheric aerosols, and it can also capture remote-sensing data on global forest carbon sinks. Its tasks include monitoring and surveying terrestrial ecosystems and resources, evaluating major environmental projects, and providing data on atmospheric conditions and the impact of aerosols on climate change. Additionally, it supports agricultural forecasting and disaster relief efforts.

The Atmospheric Environmental Surveyor, launched in April 2022 from the Taiyuan center, operates in a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 705 km. Built by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, it is equipped with five advanced mission payloads, including a directional polarimetric camera and an atmospheric trace gas differential absorption spectrometer.

This satellite is designed to observe air pollution, greenhouse gases, and other environmental factors. It provides crucial data for climate and ecological research and aids in forecasting agricultural yields and environmental hazards.