China’s launched the Haiyang 3A (aka HY3-01) ocean colour monitoring satellite at 0355 GMT on 16 November 2023. The rocket used was the CALT operated Long March 2C/3/YZ-1S (CZ-2C/3/YZ-1S) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 0355 GMT on 16 November 2023. The CAST-built spacecraft was launched into a high sun-synchronous 768 x 788 x 768 km at 98.7 degree inclination orbit. The YZ-1C upper stage was left in an orbit with a perigee of only 168 km and is expeced to rapidly decay. In addition to an optical payload, the spacecraft is carrying an X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) allowing icebergs and even shipping to be imaged during poor weather. Haiyan 3A will be operated by China’s National Satellite Ocean Application Service (NSOAS).
