HKATG successfully carries out
in-orbit technology validation of 'Golden Bauhinia'
satellite constellation
July 25, 2020
On July 25, 2020, China's Long
March-4B carrier rocket was successfully launched from
the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, and the space
exploration satellite named "Lobster Eye X-ray Explorer"
was successfully put into orbit. The "Lobster Eye X-ray
Explorer" is the first space exploration satellite in
the world to apply X-ray technology focusing with
lobster-eye optics. In its design and development
process, all participators including the Hong Kong
Aerospace Technology Group, Ltd. (HKATG) co-innovated in
the basic research, engineering technology and
applications to carry out the full-chain, systematic
research and development work, which have made great
contributions to strengthening China's independent
innovation capabilities in space astronomy, deep space
exploration, and space remote sensing, etc.
The satellite is the first
successful cooperation between mainland China and HK in
space exploration through the commercial space model,
and HKATG, as the first commercial space enterprise in
HK, was deeply involved in the technical demonstration,
research and development of the satellite. As a key
in-orbit "technology verification star", the successful
launch of this satellite laid a solid technical
foundation and engineering reserve for the deployment
and implementation of the "Golden Bauhinia"
constellation, and is a milestone in space projects
cooperation between the two places and the development
of HK's space industry.
The aerospace industry will be a
brand new economic growth point in the future, with the
global aerospace industry expected to reach nearly
trillion U.S. dollars around 2030. HK's first commercial
aerospace company, HKATG, was established, and in
November 2019 it became the first institutional member
of HK to be accredited by the International
Astronautical Federation.
The successful implementation of
this satellite project marks a new beginning for the
development of HK's aerospace industry. Following the
successful technical validation, HKATG will rapidly
deploy and operate the "Golden Bauhinia" constellation
and has recently signed a strategic partnership
agreement with China Great Wall Industry Corporation to
jointly develop the "Golden Bauhinia" series of
low-orbit satellite constellation system design,
satellite design, development, testing, launch and
in-orbit delivery,etc. Upon phased completion in 2021, a
24-hour near-instant dynamic monitoring system covering
11 city clusters in the Greater Bay Area will be formed,
making it the first intelligent city management basic
data operator in Greater Bay Area, and launching
regional commercialization services for the area.
|