Context

Recently, China has launched a new satellite with a camera capable of taking photos of the ground with a resolution of five meters called “Ziyuan-1 02E” or “Five Meter 02 Optical Satellite”.

• This is the 39th launch of the Longue Marche-4C rocket and the 403rd launch of the entire Long March series.

About

About the satellite

• The Ziyuan-1 02E carries the same two imaging payloads:
  • a high-resolution visible and near-infrared camera
  • a hyperspectral imager, as well as a new long-wave infrared camera
• The high-resolution camera will be able to produce images with resolutions of up to five meters (5m) when operating in panchromatic mode.
• The satellite is also part of a China-Africa cooperation project called “Xiwang” (Hope) to popularize science among teenagers. 
• The satellite will work with the five-meter optical satellite 01 and will reduce the revisiting time of Chinese territory from three days to two days.

Significance of the satellite

• Better understanding of geological environment: Images taken by the satellite duo will help engineers study China’s geological environment and search for minerals.
• Helpful for other fields: People working in other fields such as transport, agriculture and disaster mitigation will also receive help through the images.