BEIJING : China on Wednesday launched Gaofen-5, a hyperspectral imagingsatellite, as part of the country’s high-resolution Earth observationproject.

The Gaofen-5 satellite was launched off the back of a Long March 4C rocketat 2:28 a.m. Beijing Time from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center innorthern Shanxi Province. It was the 274th flight mission by a Long Marchcarrier rocket.

The satellite can be used for comprehensive environmental monitoring.

The satellite is developed and produced by China Aerospace Science andTechnology Corporation and has a designed life of eight years.

According to Tong Xudong, chief designer of the Gaofen series, Gaofen-5 isthe first China-developed satellite that can monitor air pollution. It candynamically reflect the state of air pollution in China through themonitoring of air pollutants, greenhouse gases, and aerosols.

Gaofen-5 is able to obtain spectral information from ultraviolet tolong-wave infrared radiation. It is the world’s first full-spectrumhyperspectral satellite for comprehensive observation of the atmosphere andland.

Gaofen-5 has the highest spectral resolution among China’s remote sensingsatellites. It is equipped with six advanced observation payloads, such asshortwave infrared hyperspectral camera and a greenhouse gas detector.

It can investigate material composition through spectral imaging technology.

Wang Qiao, an official from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, saidthe satellite can detect inland water, land surface environment and alteredminerals, providing reliable data for China’s environmental monitoring,resource exploration, and disaster prevention and mitigation.

It will help reduce China’s dependence on foreign hyperspectral satellitedata.

Since the Gaofen project began in 2010, China’s view of the planet hasbecome clearer.

China will also launch Gaofen-6 this year to form a constellation withother Gaofen satellites in orbit.