The Xiguang-1 series satellite launch mission, launching five satellites in one rocket, was a complete success! Breakthroughs in multiple core technologies are contributing to the construction of my country's large-scale hyperspectral remote sensing constellation.

The "Xiguang-1-01" satellite, part of the Xiguang-1 series, is currently the most powerful and versatile hyperspectral infrared observation satellite in China, weighing over 100 kilograms. As another hyperspectral remote sensing satellite independently developed by a Shaanxi-based company, this satellite represents the first time in China that it has achieved breakthroughs and in-orbit applications in several key core technologies. This achievement is of significant importance in promoting technological innovation in my country's commercial aerospace industry and accelerating the construction of my country's large-scale hyperspectral remote sensing constellation.

During its development, the satellite employed a variety of new technologies, materials, and processes. Several novel payloads, including a hyperspectral imager, infrared camera, panchromatic camera, onboard intelligent processing unit, and onboard optical switch, are all being used in orbit for the first time in China. It can accurately and efficiently acquire, exchange, compress, store, intelligently process, and transmit multi-source remote sensing data to Earth. It features 12 imaging modes, including integrated detection and imaging, multi-strip, multi-target, video, staring, and tracking, as well as high-speed data transmission capabilities. It can achieve wide-area remote sensing monitoring, multi-source remote sensing data fusion, autonomous target acquisition, and closed-loop tracking. It will provide solid aerospace technology support for multiple fields in my country, including ecological environment, agricultural and forestry monitoring, natural resources, marine economy, smart cities, atmospheric environment, disaster prevention and mitigation, and forest fire monitoring.

The core payload of the Xiguang-1 01 satellite is China's first ultra-lightweight and compact hyperspectral imager. It employs APHIS high-performance ultra-lightweight and compact hyperspectral imaging technology, utilizing a concave Rowland grating and the concentric principle to achieve efficient and compact spectral imaging through optimized deformation. It boasts a spectral resolution of up to 1.4 nm and can acquire information from 300 spectral bands. Based on the differences in the spectral response of ground objects, it can achieve precise classification, identification, judgment, and quantitative information extraction in multiple fields such as ecological environment, agriculture and forestry, water bodies, and oil spill pollution.

Meanwhile, the infrared camera carried by the satellite has achieved the first in-orbit use of innovative technologies such as a fully 3D printed optical system and an all-aluminum calorimetric design in China. This has effectively reduced the difficulty of camera development and assembly, and significantly shortened the development cycle to within three months, thus greatly improving the low-cost and ultra-fast development capability of remote sensing payloads.

Aiming at the future demand for high-capacity data on-board switching and forwarding, the optical switch carried by this satellite has achieved the first on-orbit verification of high-speed all-optical network switching technology in China, fully solving the bottleneck of existing on-orbit electrical switching technology, and can provide important application value in high-bandwidth service data transmission, high-capacity switching and all-optical networking.

This launch of the Xiguang-1 series satellites marks a continuous batch launch of the 108-satellite hyperspectral integrated remote sensing constellation. After entering orbit, these satellites will form a network with the two hyperspectral satellites launched in January 2023, further improving my country's commercial aerospace hyperspectral integrated remote sensing constellation system and creating the largest and most comprehensive hyperspectral remote sensing constellation monitoring system in China. Fully leveraging the all-weather, fully intelligent remote sensing information monitoring capabilities of hyperspectral satellites, this constellation can be widely applied in fields such as carbon neutrality, national defense security, reconnaissance and mapping, environmental protection, emergency management, urban planning, meteorology and hydrology, disaster reduction and relief, engineering monitoring, finance and insurance, and internet value-added services. It will achieve ultra-high frequency image data acquisition and updates for global regions, providing more objective, faster, and more accurate hyperspectral remote sensing data and service products to users in various sectors, including government, public, and business. Simultaneously, it will serve economic and national defense construction, creating a new landscape for my country's development into a science and technology powerhouse and a digital China.

In recent years, focusing on the application needs of different industries, CAS Xiguang Aerospace has been deeply engaged in research in the field of hyperspectral satellites. Through a complete commercial aerospace industry chain layout, from satellite development to data development, it has comprehensively expanded the multiple application areas of hyperspectral remote sensing constellation systems. It has successively carried out in-depth cooperation with numerous governments and enterprises, providing users in various industries with all-weather satellite remote sensing big data services and satellite application system solutions with high spatial resolution, high temporal resolution, and high spectral resolution. This helps various industries achieve precise decision-making, accurate governance, and refined management, serving both national needs and civilian and commercial needs, and promoting the development of satellite applications across all fields.

The successful launch of the Xiguang-1 series satellites marks another significant breakthrough for Xi'an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics CAS Aerospace Science and Technology Group Co.,LTD since the launch of its first city-customized hyperspectral satellite, "Xiamen Science and Technology-1." It not only signifies the smooth progress of Xi'an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics CAS Aerospace Science and Technology Group Co.,LTD's 108-satellite remote sensing constellation phase construction but also represents another major achievement for Shaanxi Province in building a high ground for innovation and technology. As the first commercial aerospace company in Shaanxi to deeply integrate the entire remote sensing satellite industry chain, Xi'an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics CAS Aerospace Science and Technology Group Co.,LTD will fully leverage the excellent business environment of the Airport New City, supported by the industry chain and guaranteed by policy. With the support of the Airport New City government's various preferential policies and high-quality all-round support, it will comprehensively shape new advantages for high-quality development, continuously accelerate the research and development of core technologies such as satellite overall design, development, operation and management, and application, deeply cultivate research in the field of hyperspectral remote sensing constellations, and strive to promote the development of commercial aerospace in Shaanxi and even the whole country, contributing to the innovation and upgrading of my country's commercial aerospace industry.

Upholding independent innovation and building a strong nation in science and technology. Facing the new journey of building my country into a world-class science and technology power, CAS Xi'an Aerospace will surely keep its mission in mind, forge ahead continuously, achieve new breakthroughs and new developments on the path of scientific and technological innovation, contribute to the implementation of the innovation-driven development strategy and the construction of an innovative country, and fully promote the great cause of my country's commercial aerospace, striding towards the grand goal of building a strong aerospace nation!

Some images are sourced from: Wang Heng, Li Junxi, Yang Xiaobo, and Wang Jiangbo.

Special thanks

(In no particular order)

THANKS

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Shaanxi Science and Technology Innovation Aerospace Seed Investment Fund

Xi'an High-tech Industry Venture Capital Co., Ltd.

Hainan Xuanyou Private Equity Fund Management Partnership

Chengdu Science and Technology Innovation Investment Group Co., Ltd.

Xi'an Finance and Economics Science and Technology Innovation Angel Fund

The immense power from multiple investment and financing institutions

It is a key support for the steady development of CAS Xiguang Aerospace.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the above-mentioned companies for their strong support!