SDGSAT-1 Starts On-orbit Scientific Service

China's Earth Science Satellite called Guangmu, or SDGSAT-1, after 6-month on-orbit testing phase, was officially delivered to the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS) on July 18, marking the start of its on-orbit scientific services.

SDGSAT-1 has completed the tests of satellite systems, ground systems and satellite-ground integration during the on-orbit testing phase. The satellite operates stably in sound condition, with functions and performances meeting the requirements of its developer.

SDGSAT-1, as the world's first science satellite dedicated to serving the UN 2030 Agenda, was developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and was launched into space on Nov. 5, 2021.

Three payloads were designed onboard the SDGSAT-1 including the thermal infrared spectrometer, glimmer imager and multispectral imager, which can provide Earth observation data for the monitoring, evaluation and study of SDG indicators that representing the interactions between human activities and nature environment.

The glimmer imager reflects the level of social and economic development in an area and the pattern of human settlements by detecting the intensity and distribution of night lights.

The multispectral imager monitors the watercolor index and transparency of various turbid water bodies, and the multispectral data can be used to analyze changes in glaciers, melting snow and vegetation coverage.

The thermal infrared imager can survey changes in land surface and water temperature as well urban heat energy distribution, providing basic data for crop cultivation, pest control and disease control.

"The satellite will provide data support for the entire international community, especially developing countries in monitoring, evaluating and researching the interaction between humans and the nature", said Prof. GUO Huadong, Director-General of CBAS.