China Successfully Launches Lantan-1 Satellite for Ocean Monitoring
Shanghai (Gagsoo)- China achieved a significant milestone on January 17 with the successful launch of the “Lantan-1” satellite from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center using a Long March-2D carrier rocket. The satellite was placed in its designated orbit, marking the mission as a success.
Photo credit: GEESPACE
The Lantan-1 satellite was produced at Geely’s Satellite Super Factory at the end of December last year, with extensive involvement from GEESPACE, a satellite technology and commercial services company funded by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.
The satellite’s operations are primarily managed by Hangzhou Dianzi University, with key parameters validated by the Second Institute of Oceanography under China’s Ministry of Natural Resources. The payload was developed by the Hangzhou Institute of Advanced Studies, and the satellite platform was manufactured by GEESPACE. This collaboration showcases the capabilities of Zhejiang province’s companies and institutes in contributing to marine scientific research and environmental monitoring.
The Lantan-1 satellite is designed for remote sensing monitoring of water quality in estuaries, bays, and nearshore waters of the province, as well as conducting patrols of sea discharge outlets to support ecological environmental protection and marine resource management.
Wu Zhihua, the head of the satellite platform at GEESPACE, highlighted the satellite’s low maintenance costs and ability to operate autonomously in orbit for up to one month with the help of in-house developed algorithm software. The satellite’s high versatility is achieved through a universal integrated electronic system suitable for satellites weighing between 50kg to 500kg. With a payload-to-weight ratio design, the 66kg satellite can carry a payload of about 30kg, optimizing costs and efficiency.
The Satellite Super Factory at Geely integrates aerospace and automotive manufacturing capabilities. With a track record of delivering 33 satellites into orbit, the factory boasts a 100% delivery success rate and a cumulative in-orbit operation time exceeding 14,000 days.
Currently, the facility has an annual production capacity of 500 satellites, producing 1 to 2 satellites daily. The factory’s streamlined processes have led to a 45% reduction in satellite manufacturing costs.
