China launched 4 satellites into planned orbit on the Long March-2D rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern Shanxi Province.The satellites are said to be used for environmental monitoring, asteroid resource exploration, disaster prevention and mitigation.
*The 4 satellites are Beijing-3 (BJ-3), HISEA-2 (HS-2), Yangwang-1 (YW-1) and Tianjin (TJ).
*This is the 373rd flight of the Long March Rocket Series.
Purpose of the Satellites:
*The BJ-3 satellite :
It is a commercial remote sensing satellite developed by China ‘s SpaceSat Company Limited. It is said to provide services in the fields of resources surveying, city management, environmental monitoring and disaster relief.
*HS-2 satellite :
The satellite will be used by Xiamen University to study the ecosystem of the nearby coast and shallow sea.
*YW-1 satellite :
It will be used by Shenzhen-based Origin Space Technology Ltd. for asteroid resource exploration and research.
*TJ Satellite :
It will be used by universities for teaching and training in orbital services.
1st Generation Meteorological Satellite:
*China first launched a new generation meteorological satellite ‘FY-4B’ into orbit on June 3, 2021.
*It will be used in the fields of meteorological analysis and forecasting as well as environmental and disaster monitoring.
*According to China’s National Space Administration (CNSA), FY-4B will strengthen China’s surveillance and response capability to small and medium-sized catastrophic events.