China Launches HY-2B Satellite Atop a LM-4B

China launched the HY-2B marine satellite into its preset orbit atop a LM-4B carrier rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center at 06:57 Beijing time on October 25, 2018.

The HY-2B satellite was developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), and it will replace the HY-1A which has exceeded its service life.

The HY-2B can provide 24/7 allweather observation without being restricted by weather or night. It can provide sustainable monitoring of sea surface wind fields, waves, currents,temperature, storms and tides with the continuous and stable capabilities for marine environmental monitoring and data acquisition, playing an important role in marine disaster prevention and mitigation, environmental forecasting,resource development, scientific research and international cooperation.The satellite has also been equipped with two new systems: an automatic identification system (AIS) to track and monitor vessels, and a data collection system (DCS) to receive data, further promoting the marine research applications.

HY-2B is the first satellite of China’s ocean dynamic environmental monitoring network. It has the ability of ocean dynamic environmental data acquisition with high temporal resolution, high spatial resolution and high precision,becoming an important tool as part of China’s marine strategy and one of the important programs in the construction of a maritime power.

HY-2B Satellite waiting for launchPhoto: DONG Dong

In August 2011, China launched a HY-2A, its first ocean dynamic environmental detection satellite, which has now been in orbit for 7 years.

The LM-4B launch vehicle was developed by the Shanghai Academy of Space flight Technology (SAST). This was the 100th flight of the Long March series launch vehicle that was developed by SAST. 30 years ago, the first LM-4A carrier rocket developed by SAST conducted its maiden flight on September 7,1988, sending the FY-1 meteorological satellite into orbit.

This was the 288th flight of the LM series launch vehicle. (GUO Qian/China Space News)