Achieve two major breakthroughs in space exploration! South University of Science and Technology’s “Nanke-1” satellite successfully launched (onboard optical camera)

On May 17, 2025 at 12:12 pm, China’s aerospace industry has achieved new results! The “Nanke-1” satellite of Southern University of Science and Technology was successfully launched into space by the improved version of the Zhuque-2 Yao-2 carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Base, and the satellite entered the predetermined orbit smoothly. This is the first satellite developed with deep participation from a university in Shenzhen. The team from the Department of Earth and Space Sciences at Southern University of Science and Technology independently developed the space electric field measurement and aurora camera scientific payload on the satellite. This marks an important progress made by Southern University of Science and Technology in the field of space exploration and another achievement of collaborative innovation between commercial aerospace and university research in China.
The satellite is equipped with a 12 meter ultra long space electric field antenna system, breaking the global record for the length of micro satellite electric field antennas. It is the first time in China to use micro satellites for optical observation of auroras, achieving a “double breakthrough” in space electric field detection and auroras observation with innovative design of “low cost and high performance”, injecting new momentum into the development of deep space exploration technology in China.
Deep Space Exploration: Serving Basic Research in Space Physics and Environmental Monitoring in Aerospace Engineering
Nanke-1 “is the first small satellite of South University of Science and Technology of China dedicated to space science research, carrying independently developed space electric field measurement payloads and aurora camera payloads. Among them, the space electric field measurement payload measures the time-varying electric field in the space plasma through an antenna, providing a key means for monitoring the Earth’s magnetosphere and ionosphere; The Aurora Camera payload utilizes onboard cameras to record real-time large-scale aurora data and capture aurora phenomena in high latitude regions. The two payloads will focus on the coupling effect between solar wind and magnetosphere and the study of space weather effects, providing key data support for improving the accuracy of space weather forecasting and ensuring the safe operation of spacecraft.