China has launched the world’s first “self-driving” satellites that can maintain or change their flight course without any help from the ground, according to their developer.
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The two mapping satellites – Siwei Gaojing-2 03 and Gaojing-2 04 – blasted off on a Long March-2C carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China at 7.39am on Monday before entering their preset orbits.
The Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) – a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (CASC) – said the launch was a milestone in the development of China’s commercial space surveying and mapping.
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Space race elevates Asia in new world order
Space race elevates Asia in new world order
The developer said the pair would usher in a new era of “self-driving” commercial satellites, with abilities that include automatic orbit return and fly-around.
“After in-orbit operation, they will achieve the world’s first autonomous and strict orbit return at the 100-metre [328-foot] level, and formation-coordinated fly-around at the sub-metre level,” SAST said, adding this could simplify in-orbit control and better guarantee safety.
The developer said the satellites – which are equipped with high-precision radar payloads and other advanced technologies – would provide “all-day, all-weather, high-resolution radar imagery” and “significantly improve the accuracy of surveying and mapping products”.
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Once operational, the satellites will provide data for natural resource management, urban safety, emergency response and maritime affairs, according to SAST.