The reporter learned from the National Space Administration that at 18:51 on October 14th, China successfully launched its first solar exploration science and technology experimental satellite "Xihe" using the Long March-2D carrier rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. This star will achieve the first international space exploration of solar H α band spectral imaging, filling the gap in high-quality observation data of solar eruption source areas, improving China's research capabilities in the field of solar physics, and having significant implications for China's space science exploration and satellite technology development.

The full name of the "Xihe" satellite is the Sun H α Spectral Detection and Double Super Platform Science and Technology Experiment Satellite, which operates in a sun synchronous orbit at an altitude of 517 kilometers. Its main scientific payload is the Solar Space Telescope. H α is one of the best spectral lines for studying the response of solar activity in the photosphere and chromosphere. By analyzing the data of this spectral line, the changes in physical quantities such as atmospheric temperature and velocity during solar eruptions can be obtained, which is helpful for studying the dynamic processes and physical mechanisms of solar eruptions.

During the operation of the satellite in orbit, the photosphere and chromosphere of solar flares and coronal mass ejections will be observed to explore the dynamic characteristics and triggering mechanisms of the source region of solar eruptions. At the same time, the chromosphere of the formation and evolution process of solar dark streaks will be detected to reveal their inherent connection with solar eruptions. The Doppler velocity distribution in the full surface H α band will also be obtained to study the dynamic processes of the lower atmosphere of the sun, providing important support for solving scientific problems such as the physical model of energy transmission from the inside to the surface of solar eruptions.

The satellite adopts a "dual super" satellite platform design with ultra-high pointing accuracy and ultra-high stability. The platform will apply maglev technology in orbit and adopt a new overall design method of "dynamic and static isolation non-contact" to physically isolate the platform cabin from the load cabin, block the influence of micro vibrations in the platform cabin on the load operation, and greatly improve the accuracy and stability of the load attitude pointing. In the future, the dual super platform technology will be widely applied in new generation space missions such as high-resolution ground surveys, large-scale stereoscopic mapping, solar stereoscopic exploration, and exoplanet discovery, promoting the leapfrog development of China's space science and space technology.

This mission successfully carried two intergovernmental cooperative microsatellites of the Asia Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO): the University Student Satellite-1 and the University Student Satellite-2A, mainly for technical verification such as coiled extension arm deployment, satellite based broadcast monitoring, and inter satellite communication. The Asia Pacific Space Cooperation Organization is the first international organization in the high-tech field initiated and established by China. This mission is the first satellite launch of the organization since its establishment. In addition, this launch also carried 8 commercial microsatellites.

In order to further encourage the public, especially young people, to pay attention to space exploration, spread the spirit of space exploration, and stimulate enthusiasm for exploration, under the guidance of the National Space Administration, the News and Propaganda Office of the National Space Administration, the Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, and Nanjing University jointly organized the naming activity for the first solar exploration science and technology experimental satellite. More than 10000 naming proposals were received, and after three stages of collection, selection, and expert recommendation, it was finally named "Xihe". Xihe is the goddess of the sun and the goddess who established the calendar in ancient Chinese mythology, and is known to people as the image of the mother sun. This name takes the meaning of 'following the example of Xihe in controlling the heavenly horses, aiming to graze the stars in the long sky', symbolizing the origin and expansion of China's exploration of the sun.

The National Space Administration is responsible for the organization and management of satellite engineering, coordination of major issues, and approval of launch permits. Nanjing University, as the user department, is responsible for the construction and operation of scientific and application systems. The constituent units of the China Land Observation Satellite Data Center are responsible for the construction and operation of ground systems according to division of labor. The Shanghai Aerospace Technology Research Institute of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation is responsible for the overall development of satellite systems and carrier rocket systems. The China Satellite Launch Control System Department is responsible for the organization and implementation of launch sites and control systems.

This mission is the 391st launch of the Long March series carrier rocket.

Source: People's Daily