China launches marine satellite to study climate change
New Delhi : In order to better understand the maritime waters and climate change, China has launched a marine satellite into orbit. The satellite named HY-1C will help scientists to monitor ocean colour and water temperatures. It collects the basic data for research on the global oceanic environment, according to the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense.
A long March-2C rocket carrying the HY-1C satellite took off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in north China’s Shanxi Province. It is expected that HY-1C will collect data to be used in the survey of the resources and environment of China’s offshore waters, islands and coastal zones, marine disaster relief and the sustainable utilisation of ocean resources
Scientists in China space agency say that HY-1C will improve the country's ocean remote sensing capability, along with HY-1D, which is planned to be launched in 2019.
Designed with life span of five years, HY-1C can easily detect chlorophyll and suspended sediment concentrations and dissolved organic matter, which can affect ocean colour, as well as temperatures on the sea surface.
Sources from Xinhua news agency reported that the satellite was developed by the China Spacesat Co., Ltd. under the China Academy of Space Technology. To inform all, China launched its first marine satellite, HY-1A, in May, 2002, laying the foundation for ocean monitoring system.
