New Chinese spy satellite ’Ziyuan 1 02E’ in orbit, forming a new reconnaissance constellation

China launched a new optical spy satellite on 26th Dec 2021. A 5-meter resolution Optical image reconnaissance satellites - Ziyuan I 02E was sent into orbit. A cube satellite for popularizing science designed by Beijing 101 Middle School is also onboard. Long March 4C rocket carried out the mission from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center at 11:11 am On 26th. The 5-meter resolution satellite is developed by the 5th Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, with latest space camera onboard. The optical satellite is the second one of a pair of reconnaissance platforms, forming a constellation of medium-range wide-field and hyperspectral observe space platforms. It can capture 5m resolution full colour images, and 10m multi spectrum images. A constellation can cover the entire key surveillance area in two days, comparing 3 days previously. The camera can subdivide image into 166 spectral channels, capturing different spectral segments. An infrared camera makes it a “night watcher“