The Long March 8, which carries China's first commercial SAR satellite and other satellites, conducts its debut flight at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province on Dec 22. [Photo/China National Space Administration]

China's first commercial synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite was launched into orbit with the Long March 8, the country's newest carrier rocket, on Dec 22.

Called Haisi-1, the satellite was developed by the 38th Research Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC38) and the Tianyi Research Institute.

Haisi-1 can perform observations of land, sea and coast regardless of time and weather conditions, as well as provide services essential for marine scientific research and disaster monitoring. The satellite is also aimed at fulfilling commercial needs for remote sensing applications.

According to CETC38, the small, low-cost and high-resolution satellite weighs less than 185 kg and has a 1-meter resolution. It is a C-band SAR remote sensing satellite based on active phased array antennas.

CETC38, which designs the SAR payload for Haisi-1, is located in the Hefei National High-Tech Industry Development Zone in Anhui province and is capable of R&D, manufacture and testing of electronics technology projects.

Members of the Haisi-1 satellite launch test team pose for a group photo. [Photo/WeChat account: hefeigaoxinfabu]