China–Brazil Earth Resources Satellite program

CBERS
Country of origin China / Brazil
Operator CNSA / INPE[1]
Applications Remote sensing
Specifications
Bus Phoenix-Eye 1
Design life 2-3 years
Regime Sun-synchronous
Production
Status Operational
Built 5
On order 1
Launched 5
Operational 1
Retired 2
Failed 1
Lost 1
First launch CBERS-1
14 October 1999
Last launch CBERS-4
7 December 2014
Related spacecraft
Derived from Ziyuan

The China–Brazil Earth Resources Satellite program (CBERS) is a technological cooperation program between Brazil and China which develops and operates Earth observation satellites.

History

The basis for the space cooperation between China and Brazil was established in May 1984, when both countries signed a complementary agreement to the cooperation framework agreement in science and technology. In July 1988, China and Brazil signed the protocol establishing the joint research and production of the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellites (CBERS). Brazil, emerging from a long military regime, sought to abandon the Cold War logic and establish new international partnerships. China was dedicated to its great internal reform, but was also seeking international partnerships to develop advanced technologies. The agreement was advantageous for both countries. Brazil had the chance to develop medium-size satellites at a time when it was only capable of building small ones (100 kg size). China had an international partner that posed no military threats and that was receptive of foreigners.

Brazil and China negotiated the CBERS project during two years (1986–1988), exchanging important technical information and visiting each other’s facilities, and they concluded that both sides had all the human, technical and material conditions to jointly develop an Earth resource observation satellite program. The Complementary Protocol on Cooperation on Space Technology was renewed in 1994 and again in 2004.

Responsible agencies

In Brazil, the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE or National Institute of Space Research) and the Brazilian Space Agency (Portuguese: Agência Espacial Brasileira; AEB) are involved with the program, as is the Brazilian industrial sector. In China, organizations involved include the China Academy of Space Technology (a sub-entity of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation), the China National Space Administration and various other organizations.

Satellites

Initially the program included development and deployment of two satellites, CBERS-1 and CBERS-2. Subsequently agreement was reached to include three additional satellites, CBERS-3, 4 and 4B.

CBERS-1 and CBERS-2

Main articles: CBERS-1 and CBERS-2

The first satellite of the series, CBERS-1, was successfully launched on October 14, 1999[2][2] on a Long March 4B. It is sometimes also called ZY 1.[3] It remained functional until August 2003.[4]

The second satellite, CBERS-2, was successfully launched on October 21, 2003[5][6] by a Long March 4B rocket from China. It was retired from service in January 2009, after the launch of CBERS-2B.

Configuration

CBERS-1 and 2 are identical satellites. They have three remote sensing multispectral cameras:[7]

CBERS-2B

Main article: CBERS-2B

CBERS-2B was launched on 19 September 2007 by a Long-March 4B rocket from the Taiyuan base in China. The satellite operated until June 2010. Sample images from CBERS-2B were made available on January 10, 2007.[8]

CBERS-2B is also similar to the two previous members of the series, but a new camera was added to the last satellite: High Resolution Panchromatic Camera (HRC). This camera records images in one single panchromatic band 0,50 – 0,80 µm which comprises part of the visible and of the near infrared portion of electromagnetic spectrum. The images recorded by this camera are 27 km width and have 2.7m spatial resolution. 130 days are required to obtain a full coverage of the Earth by this camera.

CBERS-3 and CBERS-4

Main articles: CBERS-3 and CBERS-4

CBERS-3 was launched in December 2013,[9] but was lost after the Chang Zheng 4B rocket carrying it malfunctioned. The identical CBERS-4 satellite was successfully launched in December 2014.[10] Both satellites carry four cameras:

CBERS-4B

CBERS-4B is expected to be launched in 2016.

References

  1. ↑ Krebs, Gunter. "CBERS 3, 4, 4B / ZY 1D, 1E, 1E2". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Frequently asked questions on CBERS program". INPE.
  3. ↑ "CBERS 1". National Space Science Data Center.
  4. ↑ "The Launch of CBERS-2B". INPE.
  5. ↑ "CBERS". National Space Science Data Center.
  6. ↑ "ZY". Encyclopedia Astronautica.
  7. ↑ "CBERS Satéllite Sino Brasileiro de Recursos Terrestres".
  8. ↑ "CBERS-2B first images delivered". INPE.
  9. ↑ http://www.cenariomt.com.br/noticia.asp?cod=175759&codDep=8
  10. ↑ Rui C. Barbosa (7 December 2014). "200th Long March rocket launches CBERS-4 for Brazil". NASASpaceflight.com.

See also

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