China launches synthetic aperture satellite for disaster monitoring

It is the first satellite in the world equipped with this kind of radar. It will enhance the ability to prevent and deal with natural disasters.

«China launched the L-SAR4 01 satellite at 01:26 Beijing time (20:26 Saturday Moscow time — TASS note) with a Long March-3B launch vehicle from the Xichang Cosmodrome in Sichuan Province in southwestern China,» the message says. with reference to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

The satellite successfully entered the planned orbit. It is equipped with «the world’s first high-orbit synthetic aperture radar, which has entered the project stage, and will be mainly used to provide remote sensing information services,» the report said.

Compared with low-orbit satellites and optical satellites, L-SAR4 01 has the advantages of short reobservation period in high orbit and image width in microwave observation, all-weather operation in any light. «This will improve the accuracy of identification and efficiency of information about abnormal changes as a result of natural disasters, as well as enhance the ability to prevent and deal with natural disasters,» the ministry said in a statement.

The satellite will improve China’s space-based disaster monitoring system, which is essential for improving disaster prevention, mitigation and relief efforts, CNSA said.

The launch was the 483rd launch of the Long March launch vehicle series.