China achieved its 55th orbital launch of 2024 with the successful deployment of the Haiyang-4 (01) oceanography satellite. The Long March 4B rocket lifted off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center on November 13 at 5:42 p.m. Eastern (2242 UTC) and reached a near-polar orbit.
During ascent, insulation tiles detached from the payload fairing, and shock diamonds were visible in the exhaust from the rocket's hypergolic propellant. Launch success was confirmed by Chinese authorities within an hour, with the satellite later cataloged in a 633 by 644-kilometer orbit by U.S. Space Force teams.
Equipped with a comprehensive aperture radiometer and various detectors, Haiyang-4 (01) aims to enhance China's global ocean-salinity detection capabilities. The satellite is expected to improve data collection on ocean dynamics and environmental factors, which will bolster the accuracy of marine forecasting products.
The mission will also contribute to marine environmental forecasts, ecological assessments, water cycle monitoring, short-term climate predictions, and global climate change research. The name 'Haiyang' translates to 'ocean' in Chinese, underscoring the satellite's primary focus on marine monitoring.
This launch marks a significant milestone in China's space endeavors, with a total of 55 orbital attempts this year, despite setbacks including a failed rocket launch in July. Upcoming missions include the Tianzhou-8 cargo resupply to the Tiangong space station, scheduled for November 15, and the inaugural launch of the Long March 12 from a new commercial spaceport in Hainan.