Looks like Zhuque-2E's new fairings
The payload of the "Geology No. 1" hyperspectral remote sensing small satellite was successfully developedThe payload design and assembly of the "Geology No. 1" hyperspectral remote sensing small satellite (see Figure 1, left) has been successfully completed, and the camera has successfully passed the laboratory calibration (see Figure 1, right). Facing major national needs such as ecological civilization and a new round of mineral exploration breakthroughs, "Geology No. 1" is a new generation of hyperspectral remote sensing intelligent small satellite that serves the needs of resource and environmental detection, investigation, and assessment in the geological and mining industry. The satellite was led by China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) and jointly developed by the Natural Resources Airborne Geophysical Exploration and Remote Sensing Center of the China Geological Survey, the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Professor Wang Lizhe of China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) served as the chief engineer. It is expected to be launched in the first half of 2025.The basic parameters of "Geology No. 1" are shown in Figure 2. The satellite weighs 83kg and adopts a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 520 kilometers. It has strong remote sensing detection capabilities. Its visible light imaging resolution reaches 14m, and its short-wave infrared imaging resolution is 30m. It covers a wavelength range from 400nm to 2480nm, covering 26 spectral bands (see Figure 3). In particular, 10 key spectral bands were designed in the short-wave infrared range of 1000~2500nm, providing strong technical support for the detection, monitoring, identification, interpretation and analysis of complex geological features. This innovative design breaks through the technical limitations of traditional geological remote sensing that relies on labor-intensive operations, and greatly improves the recognition accuracy of geological elements. The Geology-1 satellite will provide strong support for the detection of various geological and environmental elements such as minerals, lithology, alteration information, soil, water bodies, etc., and create a new application of remote sensing technology in geological exploration.The "Geology-1" satellite team has carried out a number of technical innovations and optimizations on key links such as payload design, optical configuration and structural integration, successfully balancing the technical requirements of hyperspectral imaging with the multiple constraints of small satellite platforms in terms of volume, weight, power consumption, etc. In order to achieve this goal, the camera frame adopts a carbon fiber ply optimization design, and achieves a high degree of lightweight by optimizing the ply direction stiffness through structural optimization; in addition, the satellite payload adopts a structural mechanism of a common lens for visible light and short-wave infrared, and adopts a non-traditional off-axis three-mirror optical design (Figure 4). Through the efficient return of the optical path, the complexity of the optical system can be effectively controlled, making it fully adaptable to the requirements of small satellite platforms. This innovative design realizes the low-cost, lightweight, miniaturized and integrated satellite platform design.The research and development of the "Geology No. 1" satellite is the crystallization of technological innovation, reflecting the development trend of miniaturization, scale and popularization in the commercial aerospace field in recent years. Adopting the advanced design concept of commercial satellites, the "Geology No. 1" satellite adopts a miniaturized, highly integrated and low-cost technical solution, which greatly reduces costs and improves the efficiency of research and development while ensuring advanced performance. This innovative design provides a solid technical foundation for the development of the next "Geological Resources and Environment" small satellite constellation.
The NOTAM for Zhuque-2E Y3 from Jiuquan.
According to the on-site instructions, this launch mission has been temporarily terminated. This is a strict control of flight safety and part of the scientific decision-making of space missions. Thank you for your attention and waiting. We will continue to follow up on the subsequent progress and inform you of the latest information as soon as possible. Please understand and continue to support every exploration of China's commercial space.
It is said that the delay is due to strong winds. The launch may be delayed for one day like Shenzhou 19.
On May 15, 2025, the improved version of the Zhuque-2 Y2 carrier rocket entered the pre-launch preparation stage as planned. At about 09:05, the five-tube connector of the ground launch support system fell off abnormally because the personnel on duty did not operate according to the normal procedures. The rocket and the ground products are in good condition. After research and decision by the mission coordination group, the state recovery work will be organised in an orderly manner, and the mission launch plan will be postponed. After further plans are clarified, relevant parties will be notified.
Unofficial webcast:
New window appeared. 17th May 1215 BJT, 0415 UTC. Expecting live stream.
It's in Jiuquan, there will only be official webcast, unofficial aren't allowed.
