More Ships? No Problem, Thanks To New Tracking Tech From Space
11 February 2020
Elizabeth Howell reports for Forbes about the increasingly important watch on ocean going vessels from space, in particular in the South China Sea: "The South China Sea now has sharper satellite "vision" watching the region, helping to manage one of the busiest ship trafficking areas in the world. A collaboration led by Spire Maritime and China’s HiFleet recently increased visibility of ship signals in the region by more than 200%, according to representatives."
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Beidou satellites 41, 49, 50 and 51 start operational life
16 February 2020
The 41st, 49th, 50th, and 51st satellites of the BDS family have completed in-orbit testing and started operation in the network. Beidou 41 works in GEO, Beidou 49 in inclined geosynchronous Earth and Beidou 50 and 51 are positioned in in medium Earth orbit.
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Link to the presentation of the Chinese delegation during the 14th Meeting of the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG) of the United Nations, held in December 2019 in Bangalore, India.
Chang'e 4 probe resumes work for 15th lunar day
18 February 2020
The lander and rover of the Chang'e 4 probe have resumed work for the 15th lunar day on the far side of the Moon after "sleeping" through the lunar night. The lander woke up on 18 February at 6:57 h (Beijing time), and the rover awoke at 17:55 h on 17 February. Both are in normal working order, according to the Lunar Exploration and Space Program Center of the China National Space Administration.
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China launches 4 new technology experiment satellites
20 February 2020
China sent four new technology experiment satellites into planned orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province on 20 February. The satellites were launched by a Long March-2D carrier rocket at 5:07 h (Beijing Time). The satellites - known as XJS-C, D, E and F - will be used to test new technologies including high-speed telecommunications and cutting-edge sensors for next-generation Earth observation satellites.
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detailed launch report on SCMP
more photos on ECNS