Watch: China launches satellite to track marine data in real-time
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The HY-2B satellite can precisely observe dynamic factors of ocean such as sea level, wind and temperature.
China on Thursday sent a new marine satellite into orbit.
A Long March-4B rocket sent the HY-2B satellite into orbit at 06:57 from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi province.
The HY-2B is a remote sensing satellite. It will capture real-time marine data together with the HY-2A satellite launched seven years ago.
The new satellite will also form a network with the subsequent HY-2C and HY-2D for marine environment monitoring.
"The three satellites run in orbit at the same time but on different courses. Therefore, we can timely get marine information and give a 24-hour accurate forecast of a region and monitor its dynamics," said Ma Shijun, consultant of the HY-2 satellite project.
The HY-2B satellite can precisely observe dynamic factors of ocean such as sea level, wind and temperature, so mariners can get more accurate travel information.
The satellite can also automatically recognize global ships and collect relevant information.
"By monitoring ships in the oceans, we can know how many ships are on the sea, where are the most crowded places across the oceans. We can know ship distribution at ports and on shipping routes. It is very helpful to navigation," said Ma.