The moment of the launch of the Einstein probe space science satellite. Courtesy of Xichang Satellite Launch Center.
Schematic diagram of the in-orbit operation of the Einstein probe satellite. Courtesy of the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
People's Daily Online, Beijing, January 9 (Reporter Zhao Zhuqing) The reporter learned from the Chinese Academy of Sciences that at 15:03 on January 9, China successfully launched the Einstein probe scientific satellite using the Long March-2C carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, and the satellite successfully entered the predetermined orbit, and the launch mission was a complete success.
The Einstein probe satellite is another space science satellite developed and launched by the space science pilot project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences following the "Wukong", "Mozi", "Huiyan", "Shijian-10", "Taiji-1", "Huairou-1" and "Kuafu-1". The process of merger and merger is of great scientific significance.
The Einstein probe satellite uses astronomical time-domain observation methods to carry out high-sensitivity real-time dynamic sky survey monitoring in the soft X-ray band, systematically discovers high-energy transient and drastic objects in the universe, and monitors the activity, nature and physical processes of known celestial bodies. The Einstein Probe satellite carries two payloads: the Widefield X-ray Telescope (WXT) and the Follow-up X-ray Telescope (FXT). For the first time in the world, the "lobster eye" microaperture array focused imaging technology has been used on a large scale, and the detection capability is internationally leading, which can achieve 1 to 2 orders of magnitude improvement in sensitivity and spatial resolution. The design life of the satellite is 5 years.
The National Space Science Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences is responsible for the development and construction of the overall engineering and ground support system, the Microsatellite Innovation Research Institute is responsible for the overall development of the satellite system, the National Astronomical Observatory is responsible for the development and construction of the scientific application system, the Xi'an Satellite Tracking and Control Center of China is responsible for the implementation of the tracking and control system, and the First Research Institute of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation is responsible for the development and production of launch vehicles. This launch is the 506th flight of the Long March series of launch vehicles.