The global space calendar for 2022 began with two consecutive launches, marking a promising start for the year’s planned space activities. The first launch took place on January 3, carried out by SpaceX, a private American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company. This mission marked their first for the year and involved sending the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation, an Earth observation satellite, into orbit for the Italian Space Agency.
The satellite, designed by Thales Alenia Space, an Italian aerospace manufacturer, is the second in a series of two that will replace the first generation COSMO-SkyMed system. The system comprises of four identical satellites equipped with high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors that can capture images of the Earth’s surface in all weather conditions. The data collected from these satellites are primarily used for defense and security purposes, but also serve a multitude of civil and scientific applications.
Following SpaceX’s launch, China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC), a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), also successfully launched a communications satellite on the same day. The TJSW-7 satellite was sent into geostationary orbit aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province. The satellite will be used for communication, radio, television, data transmission, digital broadband multimedia system and media streaming services.
The TJSW-7 is part of the Tianlian series, China’s domestic communication satellite system. The series is a critical part of the country’s space infrastructure, supporting its lunar exploration program and manned space station project.
Although the two launches were carried out by different entities and for different purposes, they both signify a promising start to a year with a packed schedule of space activities. The successful operations also represent the continued growth and rivalry in the global space industry. For instance, SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, has been known for its ambitious plans and innovations in reusable rocket technology, while China has been rapidly expanding its space program and has already achieved significant milestones, such as landing a rover on Mars and collecting samples from the moon.
As technology advances, the frequency and complexity of space missions are expected to increase. These missions not only contribute to scientific research and technological advancement but also have potential commercial applications, such as satellite-based internet services and space tourism. Therefore, the successful start of 2022’s space activities serves as a positive indicator for the progress and achievements to be made in the space industry this year.
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