China has launched an ocean study satellite Hai Yang 2C (HY-2C) marine remote sensing satellite to a Sun-synchronous near polar low Earth orbit, using a Long March 4B (CZ-4B) rocket. The launch took place from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre on 21 September 2020 at 0540 GMT. Cogniscnent of the danger that falling rocket stages are having to nearby villages, the first stage was fitted with grid fins (one reused) to help control its falling trajectory and impact. The Hai Yang series of satellites are ocean remote sensing satellites are used to take wind and ocean wave measurements using a radar altimeter and scatterometer for the Chinese State Oceanic Administration.
Unlike earlier satellites in the series, this satellite apparently misses off a sea temperature measuring microwave radiometer imager (according to Gunter Krebs)
Long March 4B launch of HY-2C satellite. Courtesy: Wang Jianbo/Xinhua
