HJ-1C Satellite for Environmental and Disaster Monitoring Launched into Orbit

A LM-2C launch vehicle was launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center on November 19, 2012, carrying HJ-1C, a technology demonstration satellite and the Fengniao satellite. The three satellites were placed to the preset orbits respectively. Developed by DFH Satellite Co., Ltd., HJ-1C is a SAR Earth observation satellite for civilian use, which

Improvement of Mono-window Algorithm for Retrieving Land Surface Temperature from HJ-1B Satellite Data

The thermal infrared channel (IRS4) of HJ-1B satellite obtains view zenith angles (VZA) up to ±33°. The view angle should be taken into account when retrieving land surface temperature (LST) from IRS4 data. This study aims at improving the mono-window algorithm for retrieving LST from IRS4 data. Based on atmospheric radiative transfer simulations,a model for correcting the VZA effects on atmospheric transmittance is proposed. In addition,a generalized model for calculating the effective mean atmospheric temperature is developed. Validation with the simulated dataset based on standard atmospheric profiles reveals that the improved mono-window algorithm for IRS4 obtains high accuracy for LST retrieval,with the mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE) being 1.0 K and 1.1 K,respectively. Numerical experiment with the radiosonde profile acquired in Beijing in winter demonstrates that the improved mono-window algorithm exhibits excellent ability for LST retrieval,with MAE and RMSE being 0.6 K and 0.6 K,respectively. Further application in Qinghai Lake and comparison with the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) LST product suggest that the improved mono-window algorithm is applicable and feasible in actual conditions.

Photosynthetically active radiation retrieval based on HJ-1A/B satellite data

Photosynthetically active radiation(PAR) is essential for plant photosynthesis and carbon cycle,and is also important for meteorological and environmental monitoring.To advance China's disaster and environmental monitoring capabilities,the HJ-1A/B satellites have been placed in Earth orbit.One of their environmental monitoring objectives is the study of PAR.We simulated direct solar,scattered and environment radiation between 400 and 700 nm under different atmospheric parameters(solar zenith angle,atmospheric water vapor,atmospheric ozone,aerosol optical thickness,surface elevation and surface albedo),and then established a look-up table between these input parameters and PAR.Based on the look-up table,we used HJ-1A/B aerosol and surface albedo outputs to derive the corresponding PAR.Validation of inversed instantaneous and observed PAR values using HJ-1 Heihe experimental data had a root mean square error of 25.2 W m-2,with a relative error of 5.9%.The root mean square error for accumulated daily PAR and observed values was 0.49 MJ m-2,with a relative error of 3.5%.Our approach improved significantly the computational efficiency,compared with using directly radiation transfer equations.We also studied the sensitivity of various input parameters to photosynthetically active radiation,and found that solar zenith angle and atmospheric aerosols were sensitive PAR parameters.Surface albedo had some effect on PAR,but water vapor and ozone had minimal impact on PAR.

Technical system design and construction of China’s HJ-1 satellites

The Chinese Government attaches great importance to applications of satellite remote sensing in environmental monitoring.On 6 September 2008,the first two satellites of the Environment and Disaster Monitoring and Prediction Satellite Constellation(HJ),HJ-1A and HJ-1B,were successfully launched,which started a new era of satellite applications for environmental monitoring in China.An introduction to the satellite,instrument,and ground systems of HJ-1A and HJ-1B is presented in this article,and an analysis of their technical performance and characteristics is also given.Focusing on the operational needs of environmental monitoring in China,the general design,functional construction,and operational mode of the application system of HJ-1A and HJ-1B are detailed,and the operations and applications of the two satellites are also discussed.