China launched Gaofin-7, a new Earth observation satellite into orbit atop the Chinese Long March 4B rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China. According to the China National Space Administration (CNSA) ,the satellite will play a major role in land surveying and mapping, urban and rural construction, and statistical investigation.
China’s first civil-use optical transmission three-dimensional surveying and mapping satellite, Gaofen-7 was the main optical payload for the mission which is designed to obtain high resolution optical 3D observation data and high-precision laser altimetry. Reportedly, It has been delivered into a 489 by 528-kilometer orbit inclined by 97.5 degrees.
Most of China’s launches take place at far inland areas, resulting in debris landing downrange. The grid fins are to both reducing risk and mark a step toward future retropropulsive landings and launcher reusability. Both the launch and the grid fin system testing were declared successful, with the first stage falling within the determined area.