A pair of SuperView-1 remote sensing satellites has been launched aboard a Long March 2D (LM-2D) rocket from China’s Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre (TSLC).

The launch marks the first Chinese space mission of the year and the 36th flight carried out by the LM–2D rocket.

The newly launched satellites are equipped with two 0.5m resolution commercial remote sensing instruments, as well as various advanced attitude and orbit control system (AOCS) and high integrated electronic systems.

“The capacity of the new SuperView-1 satellites is similar to the first pair of satellites launched in December 2016 as part of the SuperView constellation.”

They are capable of providing images with 0.5m panchromatic and 2m multispectral resolution, covering an area of 12km in diameter, reported Gbtimes.

The capacity of the new SuperView-1 satellites is similar to the first pair of satellites launched in December 2016 as part of the SuperView constellation.

The satellites will be owned and operated by China Siwei Surveying and Mapping Technology to provide data, which is expected to be used in various applications such as land source survey, mapping, and environmental monitoring and surveillance.

The 560kg spacecrafts were designed and manufactured by China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and DFH Company.

Both the SuperView-1 satellites are designed to have a lifespan of eight years.

Following completion, the SuperView constellation is set to have a total of 16 optical satellites, four higher resolution satellites, four synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites and a fleet of satellites with video and hyperspectral cameras.

The entire constellation is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.

China Great Wall Industry (CGWIC) has been appointed as the prime contractor of the SuperView-1 satellites programme.