Five remote sensing micro-nano satellites developed by Zhuhai Orbita Aerospace Science & Technology were launched on Sept 19, building the growing "Zhuhai-1" constellation closer to having 34 of the orbiters with high-resolution optical, radar, and infrared capabilities.

The four new hyperspectral satellites and one video unit of the OHS-3s series joined others to form a network of 12 remote-sensing micro-nano satellites -- eight of them hyperspectral. Now, the hyperspectral network can complete a full scan of the planet's land surface every two and a half days and view a specific area several times daily.

In June 2017, the first two video satellites were launched aboard a Long March 11 carrier rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. They were followed by four hyperspectral satellites and one video unit in April last year.

Satellite launch [Photo by Zhao Zi / Zhuhai Daily]

The "Zhuhai-1" hyperspectral unit features a spectral resolution of 2.5 nm and 256 wave bands. It leads the country with a 10-m (33-ft) spatial resolution and 150-km (93-mile) breadth. Eight such units can collect 7.15 PB of data annually, with coverage of hyperspectral data collection reaching 21.88 billion sq km (8.45 billion sq miles).

The hyperspectral data reportedly can be used for accurate quantitative analysis of vegetation, water, crops and other ground objects in Smart City construction.

Orbita, the largest private operator and service provider of hyperspectral satellites in use, is headquartered at Orbita Tech Park on Baisha Road in Tangjiawan.

The company offers services in natural resources, ecological environment, agriculture, traffic, emergency management, finance and insurance, as well as Smart City construction based on remote-sensing big data collection, processing and analysis, according to Chairman Yan Jun.

So far, the applications are being employed across Guangdong, Guizhou, Hunan, Shandong, and Anhui provinces and Chongqing Municipality.