A Long March-2C carrier rocket blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, May 21, 2023. China on Sunday successfully sent new space science satellites into orbit from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, including Macao's first space exploration satellite project Macao Science 1. Macao Science 1 is the first space science satellite program jointly developed by the Chinese mainland and Macao. [Photo/Xinhua]

China successfully sent two satellites of "Macao Science 1," a space exploration program, into space on Sunday.

The China National Space Administration (CNSA) said that the satellites were launched at 4:00 p.m. (Beijing Time) by a Long March-2C carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China and entered the preset orbits successfully.

Macao Science 1 takes a twin-satellite approach. Satellite A carries payloads like high-precision magnetometers to detect Earth's magnetic field. Satellite B is equipped with payloads like high-energy particle detectors and solar X-ray instruments to obtain space environment data.

Macao Science 1 has the capability to complement the observations made by Europe's Swarm satellites and China's first seismo-electromagnetic satellite, Zhangheng 1. This collaborative effort allows for a more comprehensive understanding of Earth's low latitude magnetic field and space environment changes as well as facilitates the monitoring of the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA).

According to the CNSA, Macao Science 1 is the first space science satellite program jointly developed by the Chinese mainland and Macao. The project is also the first scientific exploration satellite placed in a near-equatorial orbit to monitor the geomagnetic field and the space environment of the near-equator SAA.

The SAA is a giant region of lower magnetic intensity in the skies above the planet, stretching over the South Atlantic. The weakening of the Earth's magnetic field protection over this area allows more radiation from outer space to penetrate and get closer to the Earth's surface, which easily interferes with the communication of satellites, aircraft and spacecraft passing through this area. Scientists believe the study of the SAA can help them find the reason for Earth's weakening magnetic field.

Macao Science 1 has the highest accuracy of geomagnetic field detection in China and will significantly improve the country's space magnetic survey, according to the CNSA.

The CNSA and the government of the Macao Special Administrative Region jointly launched the satellite project. The satellite system is developed by DFH Satellite Co., Ltd. under the China Academy of Space Technology and Northwestern Polytechnical University. Macao University of Science and Technology (MUST) provided the scientific payloads aboard the satellites. The State Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary Sciences at MUST has built a data center for the satellite which will carry out processing and analysis of satellite data.

The project encourages an open sharing and application of its scientific data. Under related data policies, it will promote extensive cooperation with domestic and foreign research institutions to produce more scientific research outcomes and step up joint talent cultivation and exchange.

Scientists and engineers from 20 countries and regions have participated in the Macao Science 1 project, and a project scientist committee was formed comprising international experts that include academicians from Chinese, American and European institutions. The project team has signed cooperation agreements with scientific research institutions in 18 countries.

According to MUST, the satellite project has attracted a large number of scientific research and engineering talents in Macao, including scientists, engineers, data analysts, satellite telemetry personnel and other professionals, helping expand the talent pool of the State Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary Sciences.

Macao Science 1 is designed to operate in orbit for at least five years, providing a platform for the younger generation of researchers to carry out scientific research and develop advanced scientific data products and services, MUST said.

The CNSA added that the project will open up a new path for cooperation between the Chinese mainland and Macao in the fields of innovative technology like aerospace, and add new momentum to the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and high-quality development of aerospace. 

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