China Enhances SuperView Remote Sensing Constellation with Successful Launch

China launched two SuperView Neo-1 satellites on February 27, 2024, using a Long March 2C rocket. The satellites are part of a commercial remote sensing system aiming for 28 satellites in total. Operated by China Siwei, they feature high-resolution capabilities and support precision mapping services, marking continued progress in China’s space ambitions and technology development.

In a significant milestone for its commercial satellite program, China successfully launched the SuperView Neo-1 satellites on February 27, 2024. The Long March 2C rocket took off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 2:08 a.m. Eastern Time. The mission included the deployment of two previously undisclosed satellites, revealing their names as SuperView Neo-1 03 and 04 shortly after liftoff.

Operated by China Siwei Surveying and Mapping Technology Co., Ltd., which functions under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the SuperView satellites are part of an extensive remote sensing system. This system aims to comprise a total of 28 satellites, with these two new additions bringing the total to nine currently in orbit. CASC has declared these satellites to possess the highest spatial resolution available among commercial remote sensing satellites in China.

The capabilities of these satellites include ultra-high resolution, agility, precise positioning, and advanced data transmission, aligning with international advanced standards. They are instrumental in providing precise mapping data and enhancing China’s imaging satellite engineering for global commercial market integration. The SuperView constellation consists of Neo-1 optical satellites, Neo-2 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites, and a Neo-3 ultra-large width satellite.

Developed by the Shanghai Academy of Space Technology, a prominent entity within CASC, these satellites operate in near-polar orbits at approximately 500 kilometers altitude. Following this launch, CASC has reported that it has now executed nine orbital launches in 2024, marking continued progress in China’s extensive space ambitions. Upcoming missions for this year include additional launches to the Tiangong space station, as well as plans for new rockets and a highlight mission to retrieve samples from near-Earth asteroids in 2025.

The successful launch of the SuperView Neo-1 satellites exemplifies China’s advancements in commercial remote sensing technology. With plans to expand their constellation to 28 satellites and enhance their capabilities to meet international standards, China demonstrates a significant commitment to space exploration and satellite technology. This launch is part of a broader strategy to bolster their place within the global commercial remote sensing market and undertake various ambitious missions in the coming years.

Original Source: spacenews.com