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December 28, 2015
Chinese Long March 3B Rocket Successfully Launches Gaofen-4
A Chinese Long March 3B Rocket blasted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center on Monday December 28, lifting the Gaofen-4 satellite into orbit to have a watchful eye on Planet Earth, becoming China’s first remote sensing satellite operated from Geosynchronous Orbit.
The launch involved the orbiting of a geostationary remote sensing bird, known as Gaofen-4 (GF-4). It was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center at 16:05 UTC.
China Launches High Definition Earth Observation Satellite
Gaofen-4 is China’s first geosynchronous orbit remote sensing satellite featuring a visible light and infra-red staring optical imager with a common optical system.
The optical resolution is better than 50 meters, while the infrared resolution is better than 400 meters. GF-4 can provide an imaging area of 7,000 km × 7,000 km with individual scene covering an area of 400 km × 400 km, and with capacity for high temporal resolution remote sensing monitor at minute-level. Launch mass is 4,600 kg. Gaofen-4 will be operational for 8 years.
Gaofen 4 satellite
Gaofen 4 was positioned in geostationary orbit with optical and infrared staring imagers for continuous observations of China and surrounding regions, such as disaster monitoring, meteorological observation agriculture, national security, etc.
Monday’s mission was the 222th flight of the Long March rocket series and the 34th liftoff overall for the 3B version. It’s also the 9th launch from Xichang this year.
For more information about China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), visit: http://english.spacechina.com/n16421/index.html
Images, Video, Text, Credits: CASC/CCTV+/Günter Space Page/Orbiter.ch Aerospace.
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