Land Surveyor 4A Satellite for Disaster Prevention and Monitoring
In a significant stride towards disaster prevention and mitigation, China successfully launched the Land Surveyor 4A satellite in the early hours of Sunday. The satellite, dedicated to natural disaster prevention, was carried into orbit atop a Long March 3B rocket that took off at 1:26 am from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Southwest China's Sichuan province.
The Land Surveyor 4A, developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, is the world's first synthetic aperture radar satellite positioned in a high-altitude orbit. This pioneering satellite is set to substantially enhance China's disaster monitoring capabilities from space, according to a statement from the China National Space Administration.
Equipped with synthetic aperture radar technology, the satellite's remote sensing capabilities will enable it to monitor and analyze physical characteristics of areas even from a distance. It is designed to provide continuous surveillance over Chinese territories and neighboring regions. Apart from disaster prevention and relief efforts, the satellite's applications encompass land and marine resource management, weather forecasting, environmental protection, as well as activities within the agricultural and forestry sectors.
Key beneficiaries of this satellite include the Ministry of Emergency Management, Ministry of Natural Resources, China Meteorological Administration, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Notably, the Land Surveyor 4A boasts superior monitoring and imaging capabilities compared to conventional synthetic aperture radar satellites in low orbits and optical satellites.
This successful launch marks China's 35th rocket launch this year and the 483rd flight of its Long March rocket family—a significant milestone for China's space exploration endeavors.
