Hong Kong Aerospace Technology Group Limited announced last Friday 9 December 2022, two satellites under Golden Bauhinia No. 1 05/06 have been launched from the sea launch platform in the Yellow Sea area, China, using the Jielong — 3 (Y1) carrier rocket which marked its first sea hot launch.
Launching a carrier rocket from the sea is a groundbreaking solution, and has the advantages of efficiency, high flexibility, and excellent launch economy, with options for the launch point and drop zone.
When launching a low-inclination satellite from land, the launch vehicle routes need to cross a wide range of economically developed and densely populated areas, and there is an increasing number of safety issues. By using a sea launch platform, the growing demand for satellite launching can be met.
Both of Golden Bauhinia No. 1 05 and 06 are optical remote sensing satellites equipped with an optical camera and satellite platforms that have achieved technological breakthroughs including miniaturization, high-speed data transmission, and zero-momentum control.
The remote sensing data to be obtained by these satellites will be used in fields such as global agricultural surveillance, environmental protection, transportation, and smart cities.
Full of unlimited opportunities
HKATG entered a cooperation agreement with Jiangxi Normal University in October this year to establish a joint laboratory of space science and technology, which is responsible for expanding the use of satellite remote sensing in crop growth, forestry resource surveys, environmental monitoring, geological and mineral surveys, and natural disaster monitoring; in particular, dynamic monitoring of the mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, deserts, and urban and rural ecosystems.
Last month, HKATG also signed an MOU on the cooperation with Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO), becoming the first-ever commercial aerospace company to establish a partnership with the organization, reflecting its vital role in the field of global commercial aerospace.
Golden Bauhinia Satellite No. 1 (05) is jointly named by the Group and APSCO, which will help to better publicize the work of APSCO and its member states internationally, and at the same time leverage the advantages of HKATG to establish a long-term and win-win cooperative relationship with the world.
