NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 2019-060A
The Zhuhai 1 03 satellites will join a commercial satellite constellation built and operated by the Chinese company Zhuhai Orbita Aerospace Science and Technology Co., Ltd. That constellation, called Zhuhai-1, will ultimately consist of 34 small satellites, including video, hyperspectral, and high-resolution optical satellites, as well as radar and infrared satellites, according to China's state-run Xinhuanet news agency.
Seven Zhuhai-1 satellites were already in orbit before today's launch. The first two were video satellites, designated OVS-1A and OVS-1B, and they launched together in June 2017. Five additional satellites launched in April 2018, including four hyperspectral Earth-observation satellites designated as OHS-01, 02, 03 and 04, and the OVS-2 video satellite. Today's launch added four more hyperspectral satellites and one more video satellite to the constellation.
According to Xinhuanet, the hyperspectral satellites "have the highest spatial resolution and the largest coverage width of their type in China," and the data and imagery from the satellite constellation will be used to study vegetation, water and crops, and "will provide services for building smart cities."
Launch Date: 2019-09-19
Launch Vehicle: Long March 11
Launch Site: Jiuquan, Peoples Republic of China
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