At 15:00 on June 22, my country successfully launched a Sino-French astronomical satellite with a Long March 2C carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The satellite is a space science satellite jointly developed by China and France. It is the satellite with the strongest multi-band comprehensive observation capability for gamma storms in the world so far. It will play an important role in scientific discoveries in the field of space astronomy such as gamma storm research.

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Photo: Chen Haojie

The Sino-French astronomical satellite is equipped with four scientific payloads: a gamma-ray monitor, an optical telescope, a hard X-ray camera and a soft X-ray telescope developed by the French side. The payload is divided into two categories: large field of view and high-precision observation. The angular area of the observation field of view of the large field of view detection instrument is about 10000 square degrees, which is equivalent to covering the whole 1/4 of the day, just like opening a large net to capture the unpredictable gamma bursts in the sky. Once the target is found, the satellite will automatically turn to the target and use two small field-of-view telescopes to carry out long-term high-precision observations. Through the linkage detection of scientific loads, various types of gamma storms are discovered and rapidly located, the electromagnetic radiation properties of gamma storms are comprehensively measured, the evolution of the universe and dark energy are studied by using gamma storms, and astronomical temporary sources such as gravitational waves are quickly observed, so as to understand the origin and physical properties of gamma storms and their applications in cosmology.

Gamma bursts are the most violent explosive phenomena in the known universe other than the Big Bang. Gamma storms are involved in many fields of astrophysics, from stars and galaxies to cosmology, and are directly related to many astrophysical problems in these fields. Gamma storms are also related to many frontier problems in physics. In-depth observation and research on gamma storms will help mankind solve some major problems in basic science.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. Over the past 60 years, China and France have carried out practical cooperation in the aerospace field. The Sino-French marine satellite jointly developed by China and France was successfully launched in 2018, and the Chang'e -6 probe carried a French radon detector to land on the back of the moon in 2024. The successful implementation of the Sino-French astronomical satellite project is also an outstanding example of in-depth cooperation in the aerospace field.

The Sino-French astronomical satellite has been demonstrated since 2005. After more than 20 years of joint efforts, it contains the care and expectations of several generations of leaders of the two countries. Scientists and engineering teams of the two countries have devoted their efforts and efforts to jointly complete the development of satellite concept research, feasibility demonstration, scheme design, preliminary sample and positive sample. In October 2006, China and France signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the China National Space Administration and the French National Space Research Center on Cooperation in the Implementation of Sino-French Astronomical Satellites, which determined the scientific objectives, research content, and cooperation methods of the Sino-French astronomical satellite mission., The rights and obligations of both parties, time schedule, etc. In 2014, the two countries completed a new round of memorandum of understanding revision and signing, and clarified the follow-up development progress.

The National Space Administration is responsible for the organization and implementation of the Sino-French astronomical satellite project and the approval of launch permits. The National Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the French National Space Research Center are respectively responsible for the construction and operation of scientific application systems, and jointly carry out scientific data analysis and applied research to the world; the National Space Science Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the French National Space Research Center are respectively responsible for the construction and operation of ground support systems; The Institute of launch vehicle technology of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation is responsible for the development of launch vehicles.

This launch is the 525th launch of the Long March series of carrier rockets. (Zhang, Wang Hao)