The spacecraft, Zhangheng 1B, entered its designated orbit as planned. It is China's first satellite specifically dedicated to studying geophysical fields from space, a capability expected to significantly enhance the country's integrated space-air-ground disaster response network.
The launch stems from a 2019 cooperation agreement between China and Italy. Zhangheng 1B carries nine scientific instruments, including a jointly developed electric field detector and a high-energy particle sensor built in Italy. With a planned mission life of six years, it will monitor electromagnetic phenomena tied to natural events and human activities, including ionospheric and atmospheric behavior.
According to Peng Wei, a project official from the China National Space Administration, the satellite will provide key measurements of electromagnetic waves and fields, which may signal seismic activity. It will also analyze atmospheric structures, contributing to early warnings for extreme weather events.
"Zhangheng 1B was jointly developed by China and Italy. Through cooperative efforts, including joint design and data sharing, the two nations aim to enhance their monitoring of electromagnetic harbingers before earthquakes, and support disaster prevention and mitigation for both countries and the global community," Peng said.
The new satellite complements Zhangheng 1A, a 2018 Chinese-Italian satellite still in operation. The two satellites will now work in tandem within the same orbital plane, delivering more detailed and frequent measurements.
Zhangheng 1B will be primarily operated by China's Ministry of Emergency Management. Beyond earthquake and storm monitoring, it is also intended to support emergency response, natural resource surveys, navigation systems, and Belt and Road Initiative collaborations.
Zhangheng 1A was launched in 2018 and includes six instruments focused on tracking electromagnetic signals linked to seismic events. The newly launched 1B model enhances this legacy with upgraded payloads and broader measurement capabilities.
Both satellites are named after Zhang Heng, a Chinese inventor credited with designing the first known seismoscope nearly two millennia ago.
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