China on Monday launched an exploration satellite tasked with observing, capturing and studying the sun during its most intense phase of activity, which is expected to reach its peak in 2025.
The instrument is called the Advanced Solar Space Observatory (ASO-S), and it was launched from a base located in Jiuquan, in the northwest; And it successfully entered its planned orbit, according to official sources.
It will orbit around 720 kilometers from Earth, weigh 859 kilograms, and should have a useful life of more than four years.
It is the first satellite of its kind in China, and while staying close to the sun, it will face challenges such as solar flares, coronal mass emissions, strong radiation, and the presence of complex magnetic fields.
As it turns out, ASO-S will allow scientists to understand the environment around the sun and the impact on Earth’s installed electrical and internet infrastructure.
Apart from this adventure, China currently has a probe on the dark side of the moon and an explorer on Mars that studies the geography, properties and composition of each of the celestial bodies.
In addition, it is building its own space station, and since last year it has repeatedly sent manned missions there to assemble the facility and train for scientific work.
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