France-China Teamwork: SVOM Gamma Ray Astronomy Satellite Pre-launch

France-China Teamwork: SVOM Gamma Ray Astronomy Satellite Pre-launch

On Saturday, June 22, 2024, China successfully launched an astronomy satellite—the result of nearly 20 years of hard work between Chinese and French scientists. It will capture gamma-ray bursts that flicker like fireworks in the farthest reaches of the universe.

The satellite, the Space-based Multi-band Variable Object Monitor (SVOM), was launched by a Long March-2C rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

It is the most powerful satellite to carry out multi-band comprehensive observations of gamma-ray bursts to date. It will play an important role in scientific studies of high-energy astronomical phenomena.

The 930kg (2,050-pound) satellite, which took hundreds of scientists and engineers nearly two decades to develop, will orbit Earth at 625km (450 miles) above the ground to accurately measure the location and energy of distant, violent explosions known as gamma-ray bursts.

China is primarily responsible for the mission, launch, satellite and operations, and shared responsibility with France for the design and construction of the instruments and ground segment.

The French contribution was developed in partnership with research laboratories at the IRFU research institute at CEA, the French atomic energy and alternative energies commission, and at INSU, the national institute of universe science, and IN2P3, the national institute of nuclear and particle physics, both attached to the national scientific research centre CNRS.

Learn more about the SVOM Mission: https://svom.cnes.fr/en/SVOM/index.htm

This mission marked the 525th launch carried out by rockets in the Long March family.

Image Credit: China National Space Administration (CNSA)

Release Date: June 22, 2024

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