INTRODUCTION
- On May 7, 2021, China launched the eighth batch of three Yaogan-30 satellites into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Southwest China, using a Long March 2C rocket. The eighth set of three Yaogan-30 satellites will join the orbit of the seven previous groups launched in 2017.
- According to a report published by the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Microsatellite Innovation, the eighth group of three Yaogan-30 satellites has been built with a new multi-satellite network operation mode that will be used for electromagnetic environment surveys and other technical tests.
- The flight also carried the Tianqi-12 satellite, a tiny Internet of Things (IoT) satellite. It would be used to provide data connectivity for Guodian Gaoke, a Beijing-based commercial firm.
KEY DETAILS OF YAOGAN-30 –
- From the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Southwest China, China launched the eighth wave of three Yaogan-30 satellites on May 6, 2021.
- This is the eighth set of Yaogan-30 satellites to be put into orbit in 2017, following the seven previous groups.
- The ninth batch of three Yaogan-30 satellites was developed with a new multi-satellite network operation mode for electromagnetic environment assessments and other technological testing.
- The mission also included the Tianqi-12 satellite, which is a tiny Internet of Things (IoT) satellite. Guodian Gaoke, a business enterprise located in Beijing, would use it for data connectivity.
- China launched the Yaogan-34 satellite on April 30, 2021, before to the launch of the Yaogan-30 satellites. The optical remote sensing satellite Yaogaon-34 will be utilised for disaster prevention and mitigation, land resource surveys, road network design, urban planning, and crop yield estimate.
- In 2021, China plans to launch at least forty satellites.
YAOGAN SATELLITES –
- China’s Yaogan satellites are a series of reconnaissance satellites.
- In 2006, the first Yaogan 1 satellite was launched.
- According to Chinese media, the Yaogan satellites would be utilised for disaster prevention and mitigation, assessing land resources, road network design, urban planning, crop yield estimation, electromagnetic environment assessments, and associated technical testing.
- Western analysts, on the other hand, believe that these satellites are outfitted with synthetic aperture radar for military reconnaissance.
