Two remote sensing satellites, Gaojing 1-3 (Superview 3) and Gaojing 1-4 (Superview 4), were successfully launched at 0317 GMT on 9 January from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in China on a Long March 2D/2 launch vehicle. The satellites will be used as part of a constellation for civilian Earth observation/remote sensing satellites which will be operated by the Beijing Space View Tech Co Ltd of Beijing. The spacecraft carry panchromatic and visible/infrared scanners. The Gaojing constellation/fleet will consist of 24 spacecraft to provide commercial high resolution imagery with a best resolution of 0.5m. The 560 kg spacecraft which used the CAST 3000B (CS-L3000B) bus design are designed to last eight years.
Post Script: China hopes to make 40 launches in 2018. This is the first.
Phil Hylands contributed to this story.
