China successfully launches earth observation satellite Gaofen-4

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China has successfully launched  its “most sophisticated” observation satellite, Gaofen-4, as part of the country’s high-definition earth observation project. The satellite can “see” an oil tanker on the sea with a huge CMOS camera, reaching the best imaging level among global high-orbit remote sensing satellites.

Gaofen-4 was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in the southwestern province of Sichuan aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket.  It was the 222th flight of the Long March rocket series and China’s 19th space mission in year 2015.

Facts about Gaofen-4 :

• Gaofen-4 is China’s first geosynchronous orbit HD optical imaging satellite and the world’s most sophisticated HD geosynchronous orbit remote sensing satellite.
• Gaofen-4  is located at the orbit 36,000 km away from the earth and moves synchronously with the earth.

Application: The satellite  will be used for surveillance of geological disasters and forest disasters, disaster prevention and relief and meteorological forecast.

What is Gaofen Project ?

• Gaofen Project is an ambitious space project of China that aims to provide real-time, all-day global Earth observation in any weather. The Gaofen project aims to launch seven high-definition observation satellites before 2020. Gaofen-1, the first satellite of the project, was launched in April 2013.
• The Gaofen satellites are part of the China High-Resolution Earth Observation System (CHEOS).The Earth Observation System and Data Center of China National Space Administration (EOSDC-CNSA) is responsible for organizing the construction of CHEOS.