China launched 1st Solar Exploration Satellite

China has successfully launched its 1st solar exploration satellite into space from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern Shanxi Province. The satellite was launched aboard a Long March-2D rocket and entered its planned orbit successfully.

The satellite was named ‘Xihe’ (Xihe is the goddess of the sun who created the calendar in ancient Chinese mythology), also known as the Chinese Hα Solar Explorer (CHASE). The satellite has been developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

It said the mission is expected to provide scientists with the first high-quality observation data of the source area of a solar eruption and will improve China’s research capability in solar physics, adding that it is very meaningful to the nation’s space exploration and satellite technology.