China launches new ocean observation satellite

China launched a new ocean observation satellite into orbit on Thursday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China. This marked the 654th launch involving the Long March rocket series. The Long March-4B rocket carrying the Haiyang-2E (HY-2E) satellite lifted off at 07:46 Beijing time and placed the satellite into its planned orbit. The HY-2E satellite was developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST). As China’s first satellite system dedicated to dynamic marine environmental monitoring, the HY-2 satellites have provided data services for national marine disaster prevention and mitigation, resource development, maritime security, and oceanographic research for more than a decade. Zhang Qingjun, an expert from CAST, said the newly launched HY-2E satellite will replace the HY-2B satellite launched in 2018 and will operate alongside the currently functioning HY-2C and HY-2D satellites to ensure the stability of China’s dynamic marine environmental monitoring services. The HY-2E satellite is equipped with four microwave remote sensing payloads capable of accurately acquiring data on sea surface height, significant wave height, sea surface wind fields, and sea surface temperature, thereby providing crucial data support for marine weather forecasting and El Niño research. The HY-2 satellites have accurately recorded typhoon data during typhoon activity affecting China, playing an important role in early tsunami warnings and providing data for global numerical weather prediction systems. Wind, wave, and current data obtained from the HY-2 satellites can also help analyse key fishing areas at sea, enabling fishermen to locate fish shoals accurately and efficiently, thus increasing catches and reducing offshore operational costs. An Automatic Identification System (AIS) for ships has also been added to the HY-2 satellites since the HY-2B model, enabling the continuous collection of ship position, speed, and call sign data to enhance navigational safety.