On the 22nd June 2024 schedule to launch CNSA _China National Space Administration -China – People’s Republic of China 1500 Hours Hong Kong –Beijing Time China- People’s Republic of China…. at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Sichuan Province.
The Sino-French SVOM mission (Space-based Multi-band Astronomical Variable Object Monitor) is scheduled to be launched at 15:00 on June 22 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center using a Long March 2C carrier rocket. The satellite’s target operating orbit is a low-Earth orbit with an inclination of 30 degrees and an altitude of 625 kilometers. The total weight of the satellite is 930 kg, and the payload weighs 450 kg.
The mission includes 4 main instruments, 2 of which are French (ECLAIR and MXT) and 2 are Chinese (GRM and VT):
– The ECLAIR telescope is used to detect and locate gamma-ray bursts in X-rays and low-energy gamma rays (from 4 to 250 keV).
– The MXT telescope (Microchannel X-ray Telescope) is used to observe gamma-ray bursts in high energy
– The VT telescope (Visible Light Telescope) operates in the visible light region and is used to detect and observe visible light emissions immediately after gamma-ray bursts.
The total weight of the satellite is 930 kg, and the payload is 450 kg. It will be placed in a low Earth orbit with an inclination of 30 degrees, an altitude of 625 km and an orbital period of 96 minutes.
Observations in space will be complemented by a large ground segment, which includes:
– A wide field camera GWAC (Ground-based Wide Angle Camera) for studies from the ground in the visible light region, detecting the prompt emission of part of the burst – A GFT (Ground Tracking
Telescope) robotic telescope to precisely measure the coordinates of the gamma-ray burst.
Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned SpaceCNSA-China National Space Administration
