Hong Kong university launches high-resolution optical satellite

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has successfully launched a high-resolution optical satellite for research purpose. In a first by a local university, the satellite named "HKUST-FYBB No.1" had entered its designated orbit for operation at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Gansu Province on Friday.

It has sent back the first batch of earth environmental monitoring remote sensing data. Being one of the most advanced civilian satellites, its data, such as weather, temperature, carbon dioxide level etc. will be used to build a landslide monitoring system for Hong Kong to test the water.

It will be applied in land cover mapping, disaster assessment and response as well as urban planning and smart cities. There are four HKUST students participating in the satellite launch of the constellation programme. The university will establish an interdisciplinary research team by recruiting more students and researchers, local and overseas.