Orbita satellites made in Tangjiawan to serve China

A Long March 4B (CZ-4B/Y31) rocket lifted off at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi desert, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at 11 pm on June 15, carrying Zhuhai-1 (OVS-1A and IVS-1B) satellites. They successfully entered orbit at precisely 11:12'49.

The Zhuhai-1 satellites are developed and operated by Zhuhai Orbita Control Engineering Ltd, a private high-tech enterprise in the business of R&D, design and, manufacture -- the first such in China. The Tangjiawan-based company provides the video component of the Chinese Orbita Earth observation system. With a mass of 55 kg each, the satellites are fitted with an all-weather high-resolution video system capable of capturing 20 frames per second and reaching a ground resolution of 1.98 m.

The remote-sensing micro-Nano satellite constellation is reportedly composed of 34 video, hyperspectral, and radar satellites. Together, they make up the space segment of the "satellite big data processing key technology research and infrastructure." The key military-civil project has gained dedicated funding from the National Development & Reform Commission, and is on the list of Guangdong key construction projects, according to Orbita's president, Yan Jun.

OVS-1A and OVS-1B of Zhuhai-1 remote sensing constellation launched [Photo courtesy Xinhua]

The satellite features "gaze" observation, obtaining dynamic information in the format of video footage, and tracking moving targets for observation. The data is mainly used in air traffic statistics and forecasts, port and maritime ship detection, information access in geological disasters, mining production estimates, and urban 3-D imaging among other fields.

Experts explained that Zhuhai-1's imaging range covers more than 85 percent of the global population, especially tending to revisit medium- and low-latitudes areas and providing valuable information for local governments and industries.

Orbita will launch another 32 Zhuhai-1 satellites within four years, and until then satellites in different orbits are able to scan the globe every five days. Moreover, the company will quickly and efficiently collect dynamic information and big data.

A ground system that can receive, process, store, and analyze satellite big data has been established in Zhuhai, which means that the Zhuhai-1 will first serve the city in that regard.