Helsinki China launched its second Yaogan 42 reconnaissance satellite over the weekend, weeks after it launched its first satellite into a similar orbit.
At 2334:45 Eastern Time on April 20, the Long March-2D carrier rocket lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.
A statement from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation revealed that the previously undisclosed payload is the second batch of Yaogan 42 satellites. Remote sensing translates as remote sensing.
Neither China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation nor Chinese state media provided any details about the satellite. These statements omit the general descriptions usually given to remote sensing satellites.
Some uses of remote sensing satellites include land survey, crop estimation, environmental management, weather warning and forecasting, disaster prevention and mitigation, etc. Other uses include electromagnetic environment detection and related technology testing.
Yaogan-42 (02) has been tracked by the U.S. Space Force’s 18th Space Defense Squadron (SDS) on a 491 x 502 km orbit tilted 35 degrees.This is similar to the first Remote Sensing 42 satellite launched on April 2, but the angular distance is 142 degrees.
Outside observers assessed that the remote sensing series of satellites would be earmarked for both military and civilian uses.
This combination provides high-resolution imagery and all-weather, all-weather, and nighttime imagery, as well as electronic signals collected from radars, communications systems, and other electronic equipment, covering both land and sea.
U.S. worries about Chinese reconnaissance satellites
U.S. officials have recently expressed concerns about China’s increase in surveillance satellites. Chief Master Sgt. Ron Lerch of the Space Systems Command Intelligence Directorate warned in January that China’s reconnaissance spacecraft are providing the People’s Liberation Army with unprecedented space eyes to track the United States and its allies in the Asia-Pacific and other hot spots. activity.
Notable new additions to the series include the launch of the Yaogan-4 satellite into geosynchronous orbit in late 2023. The mission used a new, elongated 18.5-meter-long, 5.2-meter-diameter payload fairing. Meanwhile, China launched the Luditans 4 satellite in August last year, which is considered the world’s first geosynchronous orbit SAR satellite.
Combined with data from other Chinese surveillance satellites, Remote Sensing 41 could provide China with unprecedented capabilities to identify and track car-sized objects throughout the Indo-Pacific region and enable the numerous U.S. and allied naval and air force assets operating in the region. At risk.
Saturday’s launch is China’s 17th orbital mission of 2024. .
CASC will launch two major missions in the coming weeks. The Shenzhou 18 manned space mission to the Tiangong Space Station will launch on April 25 from Jiuquan in northwest China. Chang’e-6, the first sample return mission to the far side of the moon, is scheduled to be launched from Wenchang on May 3.
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Image Source : spacenews.com