Two new satellites, Siwei Gaojing-2 satellites, are successfully launched

At 7:39 AM on November 25, 2024, Siwei Gaojing-2 03 and 04 satellites were launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center by the Long March 2C launch vehicle. The satellites were precisely deployed into their destination orbits, signaling a complete success of the launch mission. Developed by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, the successful launch of these satellites represents a significant milestone in China’s commercial space mapping industry.

Siwei Gaojing-2 03 and 04 satellites are high-resolution radar satellites that are part of China’s new generation of commercial remote sensing satellite system. Once they are networked with the high-resolution optical and wide swath optical satellites launched earlier, they’ll boost the integrated optical-SAR service capabilities leading in China, and the satellite system will move into a phase of smooth and efficient collaboration.

Siwei Gaojing-2 03 and 04 satellites, designed for commercial microwave mapping, are equipped with high-precision phased-array radar payloads. These satellites can provide high-resolution radar images in any weather, at any time, and can meet the most advanced international standards. Once they’re in orbit, they’ll be the first commercial satellites in the world to achieve hectometer-level autonomous re-entry into orbit and sub-meter-level formation flying and coordinated control. This will make in-orbit satellite operations much easier, ensure better safety, and pave the way for a new era of “self-driving” commercial satellites. On top of that, the satellites use the latest third-generation Gallium Nitride TR components, improving payload efficiency by 25%. They also adopt an integrated platform-payload system with a non-deployable phased-array antenna for the first time in China. After launch, the phase center stability will improve by 30%, significantly increasing the accuracy of mapping products and helping to meet China’s growing demand for commercial microwave mapping data.

Once they’re up and running, the satellites will be able to quickly and efficiently create high-precision digital elevation models (DEM), radar ortho-images, and other products, offering huge market opportunities both in China and abroad. They’ll mainly be used in fields like natural resources, urban safety, emergency management, and maritime affairs. The high-resolution, top-quality radar images will play a key role in supporting China’s basic mapping updates, agricultural production, and environmental monitoring. These satellites can quickly identify areas affected by disasters regardless of the weather, and provide early warnings for floods, geological events, and other regional threats, helping to build a strong first line of defense for disaster prevention and relief.

Throughout the development process, the team stuck to the core principles of “short cycle, low cost, high performance, and high reliability” for commercial satellite development. They planned ahead, and optimized the workflow rationally. They also adopted a means of transportation for the whole satellite with full-process tracking and monitoring, and put forward an innovative design for the satellite-borne solar array deployment tool, which saved time on setting up traditional tools like trusses or marble jigs, speeding up the whole satellite AIT (Assembly, Integration, and Testing) process. The team worked smoothly and efficiently, and achieved the automation of office activities through information technology and electronic devices. Through effective cooperation and coordination, they finished the whole satellite’s electrical performance testing at the launch site in just one day. Using electronic methods like the data package confirmation system, they promptly carried out quality assurance tasks, creating over 160 confirmation records and more than 850 photos and videos. They kept a close eye on key processes to ensure top quality and reliability, and double-checked important aspects like whole satellite polarity, anti-hooking, ordnance devices, learning by analogy, and launch site test equipment. They also had several rounds of discussions and reviews on things like flight procedures, failure contingency plans, and other flight control documents. Thanks to their thorough quality assurance work at every step, they ensured the top quality and reliability of the satellite system.

During the mission, the test team at the launch site guided their research practices with strong ideological and theoretical foundations. They took the time to thoroughly study the guiding principles of the Third Plenary Session of the 20^th Central Committee, strengthening their beliefs and deepening their sense of responsibility. They honored martyrs at the Dongfeng Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery and visited the Dongfanghong satellite launch site to gain hands-on experience. By doing so, they have passed on and promoted the meticulous and cautious attitude that’s essential in the space industry, and ensured the mission’s success with full effort. The successful launch of satellites is just the first step. The development team will continue to embody the radar satellite spirit of “independent innovation, hard work, cautious attitude, strong cooperation, and harmonious win-win”, and will work closely with user organizations to carry out follow-up on-orbit testing, ensuring the satellite is delivered and put into use as quickly as possible. They will make the most of the current opportunities to help both China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology become leaders and key players in the development of commercial space industry, contributing both wisdom and effort to the steady progress of commercial space and the acceleration of new quality productive forces.