China launches 3 Tianping-3 radar calibration satellites
China launched a trio of satellites late Monday for ground radar equipment calibration and other measurements.
A Long March 6 rocket lifted off from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, northern China, at 8:10 p.m. Eastern, Oct. 21 (0010 UTC, Oct. 22). The state-owned Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) announced launch success, revealing the payloads to be the Tianping-3A (01), B (01), and B (02) satellites.
The Tianping-3 mission is described in Chinese state media reports as a single satellite. However, as noted by SAST, three discrete satellites were launched.
“The satellite is mainly used for ground radar equipment calibration and radar cross section (RCS) measurement,” Chinese state media reported. “It will provide support for ground optical equipment imaging experiments and low-orbit space environment detection and monitoring experiments, as well as offer services for atmospheric space environment measurement and orbit prediction model correction.”
No images or further information on the satellites was provided. The satellites could be used for purposes related to defense, weather forecasting, and scientific research. These can help verify radar performance, calibration for target detection, weather radar calibration, space debris tracking, or tracking atmospheric phenomena.
Tianping-3 satellites can be used as benchmarks to compare and validate the measurements of ground-based radars, offering highly accurate measurements of their RCS. The satellites may have corner reflectors or transponders on board to provide a strong and well-characterized signal to ground-based radars. This signal helps in calibrating the radar’s performance, such as its power levels, antenna alignment, and other critical parameters.
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