China is sending more of its Gaofen satellites into space. Here’s why
- The launch of Gaofen-13 continues a project that so far comprises more than 20 satellites, with a busy schedule of missions coming next
- Part of a determined push into space by China, the satellites have multiple purposes, from mineral detection to defence
China has sent its Gaofen-13 satellite into orbit, kicking off a spree of space missions that will bring a dozen major launches in the next few months.
The Gaofen-13 was launched early on Monday morning with a Long March-3B (CZ-3B) rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in Sichuan province, in the country’s southwest.
It is a high-orbit remote sensing satellite, one of the Gaofen series, that will take high-definition optical images of the Earth.
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What are Gaofen satellites?
“Gaofen” is a Chinese abbreviation of “high resolution”, which refers to the High Resolution Earth Observation Satellite programme.
China began the project in 2010 and has launched more than 20 satellites, over half of them in the past two years.
These satellites observe and take photos of the Earth, including some infrared ray images, which can be used for many civilian purposes, including monitoring pollution and environment, estimating agricultural yields, forecasting weather and disasters, and detecting minerals.
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Do Chinese satellites have military uses?
There are also military applications for the satellites. Last month, China released a video captured by the Jilin-1 Gaofen-3 satellite, in which it continuously tracked the flight of a fighter jet, thought to be an F-22, the most advanced American stealth fighter.