China has taken a significant step forward in water conservancy with the successful transmission of the first image from its inaugural remote sensing satellite, Shuili-1. According to China Media Group, the image was shared on the official WeChat account of the Ministry of Water Resources, showcasing the Yellow River in the Urad Front Banner region of Inner Mongolia.
The stunning image reveals detailed topographical features, including frozen river sections, embankments, and an intricate drainage system. This achievement marks a pivotal moment in China's efforts to leverage technology for effective water management.
Launched on December 17 from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi Province, Shuili-1 was deployed alongside three other synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites. These four new SAR satellites join an existing fleet of four, forming a robust constellation designed to provide all-time high-resolution radar imagery data. This network is expected to be fully operational before next year's flood season, offering critical insights for various water-related activities.
\"Most importantly, the satellite's monitoring capabilities can penetrate through clouds and rain, making it effective even in harsh weather conditions like storms and rain,\" said Chen Deqing, director of the Satellite Remote Sensing Application Center at the Ministry of Water Resources Information Center.
Shuili-1 is engineered to monitor severe weather events such as floods and waterlogging disasters. It also plays a crucial role in the safety monitoring of rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and other water conservancy projects across the country. Equipped with intelligent processing functions, the satellite can process data onboard and transmit results efficiently, enhancing real-time monitoring capabilities.
Chen added that the satellite constellation is designed to integrate data from multiple sources, enabling the creation of specialized products tailored for the water conservancy industry. This integrated approach ensures comprehensive support for sustainable water management and disaster prevention efforts.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
