The Lijian-1 carrier rocket made its maiden flight from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center of China at noon on July 27. It successfully put six satellites into a pre-determined orbit, including the new space technology test satellite. The launch mission was a complete success. The six satellites put into space this time are used for space exploration, atmospheric density detection and other related technical verification and test applications. Among these, the space imager project on the new space technology test satellite embodies the skill and hard work of Tongji people.

Lijian-1 launch vehicle successfully made its maiden flight

In the development of the space imager, the team of Professor Wang Zhanshan from the School of Physical Science and Engineering of Tongji University, completed the development of the load body and carried out the necessary electrical and thermal research. The load body development work started in January 2021 and lasted until the launch. The team worked day and night to overcome many difficulties, taking only 19 months to complete the development of large-scale loads that usually would take between three to five years.

In the development of the space imager, Professor Wang Zhanshan‘team completed the development of the load body

Notably, in the spring of this year a sudden Covid-19 epidemic hit Shanghai. As a result, trips to the Jiuquan satellite launch base, to prepare for the launch and which were originally scheduled for March 2022, were repeatedly postponed. In order to ensure the smooth progress of the project, as soon as the epidemic situation in Shanghai improved, QI Runze and YU Jun, young teachers in charge of the on-site implementation of the launch site in the project team, drove to Jiuquan satellite launch base in Gansu Province, 3000 kilometers away. After the long journey of 50 hours, the two men arrived at the launch base and, after completing their quarantine, worked on-site for the launch and have remained there until now.

QI Runze and YU Jun at Jiuquan satellite launch base in Gansu Province

Team members are testing

After the successful launch of the new space technology test satellite, Tongji University will also carry out orbit tests, technical verification and operation of the load together with the co-operative units, and analyze and study the observation results. At the same time, the team will continue to carry out research on space observation technology and make due contributions to China's astronomy and aerospace research.