China has successfully launched the Zhangheng 1-02 satellite, a new addition to its efforts in monitoring and predicting natural disasters across the globe.
The satellite lifted off on a Long March-2D carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 3:56 p.m. Beijing Time. Developed jointly by China and Italy, the Zhangheng 1-02 satellite is named after the ancient Chinese inventor Zhang Heng, who created the world’s first seismoscope over 1,800 years ago.
Equipped with nine advanced payloads, including an electric field detector co-developed by China and Italy and a high-energy particle detector from Italy, the satellite will conduct real-time monitoring of Earth’s electromagnetic fields, ionosphere, and atmosphere. These observations aim to enhance the understanding of the correlation between changes in Earth’s physical fields and geological activities.
“Scientists will use these data to study the correlation between changes in the Earth’s physical fields and geological activities,” said Peng Wei, deputy director of the system engineering department of the China National Space Administration (CNSA). “This will support research on the prediction of earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, extreme weather, and space weather disasters.”
The new satellite will work in tandem with the Zhangheng 1-01 satellite, which was launched in 2018 and remains operational. Together, they will provide more comprehensive data and double the observation time, significantly boosting scientific prospects in disaster prediction and monitoring.
Francesco Longo, deputy director of engineering and technology of the Italian Space Agency, highlighted the importance of this collaboration. “We have a lot of expectations for the results we will acquire from this important Chinese-Italian mission,” he said. “This mission will contribute to protecting and improving lives impacted by natural disasters.”
The Italian team named the project Limadou, honoring the 16th-century Italian priest Matteo Ricci (known in Chinese as Li Madou), who played a pivotal role in cultural exchanges between East and West. Longo emphasized that just as historical figures like Marco Polo and Matteo Ricci connected Italian and Chinese cultures, space exploration has the potential to unite all countries.
This launch marks the 581st mission of China’s Long March rocket series, underscoring the nation’s growing capabilities in space technology and international cooperation.
