CBERS-4 (ZY-1 04)

Spacecraft nº:

Chinese spacecraft nº:

Launch data:

Spacecraft data: Prime manufacturer   Platform   Operator   Mass at launch   kg Dry Mass   kg Basic shape   Dimension (m)   Equipment   Solar array   Stabilization   Propulsion   DC power   Design lifetime

Photo of the CBERS-4 spacecraft (image credit: INPE)

Description:

• CBERS-4 (China, Brazil Earth Resources Satellite 4), also known as Ziyuan I-04 or Ziyuan 1E, is a remote sensing satellite intended for operation as part of the China/Brazil Earth Resources Satellite programme between the China Centre for Resources Satellite Data and Application and Brazil's National Institute for Space Research. CBERS-4 carries four cameras to take pictures of Earth in visible and infrared wavelengths. Its orbit allows the satellite to observe the same location at least once every three days in low resolution, according to INPE. China and Brazil each led development of two cameras on CBERS 4. China was responsible for the [US]$250 million mission's spacecraft bus. The satellite's cameras will collect black-and-white imagery with a top resolution of about 5 meters, or about 16 feet. Its sensors included thermal and infrared imagers capable of distinguishing different types of vegetation and locations where water is stored and consumed. The joint satellite mission?expected to last at least three years will track wildfires and deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, observe crop yields and trends in land use, manage water resources, and study urban development, according to INPE.

Mission details:

• China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite 4 (Zhong-badiqiu ziyuan weixing 04 xing) was launched on Dec 7, 2014 into a 741 x 752 km x 98.5 deg orbit with 10:30 local time descending node. The uprated ZY-1 class satellite replaced CBERS 3 which was lost in a launch failure one year ago.

External links:

• EOportal.org Satellite description
• Satellite tracking: Real time satellite tracking