The "Xiguang-1 01" satellite successfully captured the rocket launch, and its infrared payload target detection capability was successfully verified in orbit.

On January 23, 2024, during a seemingly ordinary mission, the Xiguang-1 01 satellite successfully observed and captured the entire process of a rocket launch.

During the rocket launch, the powerful thrust propelled the rocket gradually away from the ground, soaring into the sky. Throughout this process, the infrared camera onboard the "Xiguang-1 01" satellite clearly captured the entire process of rocket ignition and ascent.

It has been confirmed that the rocket photographed is the Lijian-1 Y3 carrier rocket from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The rocket was successfully launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on January 23 and entered orbit smoothly, marking a complete success for the launch mission.

▲The launch of the Lijian-1 Y3 carrier rocket (Source: CAS Space WeChat Official Account)

▲Image captured by the panchromatic camera of "Xiguang-1 01 satellite"

It is reported that the infrared camera used in the "Xiguang-1 01 satellite" was developed using commercial off-the-shelf products. In order to adapt to the envelope conditions and payload requirements of a 100kg-class microsatellite, the infrared camera fully considered integrated design during the design process, and the front optical system adopted a folding-back design.

at the same time,This infrared camera is the first in China to achieve the on-orbit use of innovative technologies such as a fully 3D-printed optical system and an all-aluminum calorimetric design. It effectively reduces the difficulty of camera development and assembly, and significantly shortens the development cycle to within three months, thus greatly improving the low-cost and ultra-fast development capability of remote sensing payloads.It can realize functions such as wide-area remote sensing monitoring, multi-source remote sensing data fusion, target autonomous acquisition and closed-loop tracking, and the data provided can be widely used in fields such as disaster monitoring and forest fire monitoring.

This filming fully demonstrated the excellent performance of the infrared camera on the "Xiguang-1 01" satellite. This rare opportunity allowed us to observe the rocket launch process from a space perspective and experience the power of technology.