30 January 2018

China's first X-ray astronomy satellite "Insight" put into use

China's first X-ray astronomy satellite "Insight" was officially delivered and put into use on January 30, 2018.

"Insight" was successfully launched on June 15, 2017, at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre. During its in-orbit operation, it successfully completed tests of the satellite platform, payload, and ground application systems.

The test results indicate that the satellite's functions and performance meet the overall engineering requirements and are ready for use.

The "Insight" satellite is China's first independently designed and developed large X-ray astronomy satellite, filling the gap in China's space X-ray detection satellites.

The implementation of "Insight" marks the beginning of a new phase of space observation for China's high-energy astronomical research. This is of great significance for enhancing China's international status and influence in the field of space science.

The "Insight" satellite project is a major independent innovation in space science, primarily researching frontier issues related to dense celestial bodies like black holes and neutron stars.

The development process of the "Insight" satellite overcame many design challenges, achieving numerous technological breakthroughs such as the integrated design and implementation of X-ray detection payloads and ground control and data transmission technology in an arbitrary inertial spatial attitude.

The "Insight" satellite further applied a direct demodulation imaging method pioneered by Chinese scientists, achieving wide-band, high-sensitivity, high spatial resolution X-ray sky surveys, fixed-point and small-area observations.

It possesses advanced capabilities for surveying faint variable sources and unique multi-band rapid optical variability observation capabilities, giving it advantages over existing X-ray astronomy satellites in the world.

 Yangtze River fishing ban

1 February 2003

First 3-month spring fishing ban throughout the Yangtze River basin

2025-01-31
Contemporary China - On this day in history - Scheme for Simplifying Chinese Characters

31 January 1956

China promulgated "Scheme for Simplifying Chinese Characters"

2025-01-30
Deng Xiaoping's visit to the United States

29 January 1979

Deng Xiaoping's visit to the United States

2025-01-28
Water Cube

28 January 2008

"Water Cube" was officially completed

2025-01-27
Contemporary China - On This Day - The maiden flight of the C919

5 May 2017

China's homegrown large passenger aircraft C919 successfully completes its maiden flight

8 hours ago
Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant

3 May 2004

China's first large-scale commercial nuclear power plant was built and put into operation

2025-05-02
Contemporary China - On This Day - Hua Luogeng Awarded Membership

30 April 1984

Chinese mathematician Hua Luogeng awarded foreign membership of NAS

2025-04-29
WeChat
We use cookies to deliver our services and to provide you with a personalised experience. By using our services, you need to agree to our Privacy Policy.
Agree and close