On October 22, the official WeChat account of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) reported that the Science and Technology Development Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Major Special Project Engineering Center of the State Administration of Science, Technology, and Industry for National Defense, recently convened a summary and evaluation meeting in Beijing. This meeting was dedicated to reviewing the on-orbit testing of China’s pioneering ocean salinity detection satellite project. The event signified the successful conclusion of all on-orbit tests for the satellite, paving the way for its delivery to end-users for long-term operational use.

As a key research satellite within China’s national civil space infrastructure framework, the ocean salinity detection satellite was developed by the Fifth Academy of CASC. It was successfully launched into space on November 14, 2024, aboard a Long March 4B carrier rocket. Serving as China’s inaugural dedicated remote sensing satellite for acquiring ocean salinity data, its successful deployment has significantly enhanced the country’s ocean satellite observation system. Moreover, it has filled a critical void in satellite-based ocean salinity detection capabilities, representing a landmark achievement in China’s space exploration endeavors.