Ziyuan 3-01 or ZY 3-01 ( meaning ''Resources 3'') is a Chinese
Earth observation satellite launched in January 2012. It is a high-resolution imaging satellite operated by the
.
Spacecraft
The Ziyuan 3 satellite was constructed by the China's
China Academy of Space Technology
The China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) () is a Chinese space agency and subordinate of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). The agency was founded on 20 February 1968, and is the main spacecraft development and prod ...
(CAST), and carries three cameras produced by the
Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Machinery and Physics. A camera aligned
normal Normal(s) or The Normal(s) may refer to:
Film and television
* ''Normal'' (2003 film), starring Jessica Lange and Tom Wilkinson
* ''Normal'' (2007 film), starring Carrie-Anne Moss, Kevin Zegers, Callum Keith Rennie, and Andrew Airlie
* ''Norma ...
to the Earth's surface will produce images with a spatial resolution of , whilst the other two, offset at 22° forward and aft, have spatial resolutions of .
In addition to the three cameras, Ziyuan-3 carries an
infrared multispectral spectrometer, with a spectral resolution of .
The satellite is used to provide imagery to monitor resources,
land use
Land use involves the management and modification of natural environment or wilderness into built environment such as settlements and semi-natural habitats such as arable fields, pastures, and managed woods. Land use by humans has a long ...
and
ecology
Ecology () is the study of the relationships between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment. Ecology considers organisms at the individual, population, community, ecosystem, and biosphere level. Ecology overl ...
, and for use in
urban planning
Urban planning, also known as town planning, city planning, regional planning, or rural planning, is a technical and political process that is focused on the development and design of land use and the built environment, including air, water, ...
and
disaster management.
It had a mass at launch of . The satellite has a planned operational lifetime of 4 years with a possible extension to 5 years.
[ ]
Launch
Ziyuan 3 was launched by a
Long March 4B
The Long March 4B (), also known as the Chang Zheng 4B, CZ-4B and LM-4B is a Chinese expendable orbital Launch vehicle. Launched from Launch Complex 1 at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, it is a 3-stage launch vehicle, used mostly to place ...
carrier rocket
A launch vehicle or carrier rocket is a rocket designed to carry a payload (spacecraft or satellites) from the Earth's surface to outer space. Most launch vehicles operate from a launch pads, supported by a launch control center and syste ...
, flying from
Launch Complex 9 at the
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
The Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center (TSLC) also known as ''Base 25'' (), is a People's Republic of China space and defense launch facility (spaceport). It is situated in Kelan County, Xinzhou, Shanxi Province and is the second of four laun ...
. The launch occurred at 03:17:00 UTC on 9 January 2012, and was the first orbital launch of
the year.
was launched as a secondary payload on the same rocket.
References
External links
China launches Ziyuan III satellite
Spacecraft launched in 2012
2012 in China
Reconnaissance satellites of China
Spacecraft launched by Long March rockets
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