TECIS (Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Inventory Satellite) / Goumang

Quick facts

Overview

Overview

China’s first Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Inventory Satellite (TECIS), supported by the China National Civil Space Infrastructure Program is a venture towards carbon neutrality before 2060. Affectionately nicknamed Goumang after the ancient Chinese god of forestry, the satellite increases the accuracy and efficiency of carbon dioxide measurements, detecting vegetation biomass, atmospheric aerosols and chlorophyll fluorescence to paint a holistic picture of the carbon cycle in their environment. 1)

Satellite data will be implemented in monitoring carbon, the terrestrial ecology, atmospheric particle concentrations (PM2.5), and resource management. Surveying, assessing environmental protection plans, and the effect of aerosols on climate change are further intended applications. Additionally, the satellite satisfies the need for the determination of vertical control points, disaster management and agricultural forecasting across China, greatly developing their remote sensing capabilities. 2) 3)  

The satellite lies under the jurisdiction of Chinese Academy of Space Technology (CAST), operated by China Centre For Resources Satellite Data and Application (CRESDA) and State Forestry and Grassland Administration of the People's Republic of China. 4)

Launch

TECIS was launched into orbit at 11:08am, August 4th, 2022 from LC-9 Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in China’s Shanxi Province. It sat aboard the Long March 4B rocket, or the CZ-4B - Chang Zheng-4B, marking the 430th mission of the Long March rocket family. The satellite was launched on the same rocket as two smaller satellites, the Jiaotong 4 and the Minhang Youth. The satellite sits in a 506-517 km sun-synchronous orbit at a 97.4° inclination with 10:30 AM local time in the descending node. 6) 7)

Mission Status

• August 4, 2022: TECIS launched from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center.

Sensor Complement

As part of China’s framework for R&D satellites and part of national civilian infrastructure, Goumang uses four different sensor types to seek information about global forest carbon sinks through active and passive remote sensing. This will further China’s capability to monitor carbon in various ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, wetlands and desertified land. 8)

Laser Radar (Lidar)

The Laser Radar, supplied by the Chinese Academy of Space Technology (CAST), employs five-beam lidar at 200 laser flashes per second with a 100 m distance between measuring points. The instrument is useful for discerning tree height using the time difference between signals from tree tops and the ground. Along with the longitudinal detection of airborne particles smaller in diameter than 2.5 micrometres, the satellite is able to create three dimensional models with the PM2.5 readings, refining atmospheric correction to a higher level of accuracy. 9)

Multi-Angle Multispectral Cameras 

Five multi-angle, multispectral cameras have been arranged around the satellite bus at different angles for measuring height and area of plant cover, and thus, the volume of carbon sinks. The cameras are provided by CAST and can construct 3D maps of the environment using ground data. 2)

Hyperspectral Monitor (SIFIS)

The hyperspectral Solar-induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence Imaging Spectrometer (SIFIS) measures continuous spectral bands, different to multi-spectral imaging, and determines chlorophyll fluorescence and terrestrial vegetation photosynthesis.

Since chlorophyll fluorescence emits very little energy, the hyperspectral detector with a grating spectrometer has been applied, increasing spectral resolution tenfold and allowing the detection of the most subtle changes in daylight intensity across two oxygen absorption bands O2A and O2B.

Developed by CAST, the monitor also detects and measures vegetation biomass and atmospheric aerosols. A spectral range of 670-780 nm with a high numerical aperture of 0.25 was recommended during the developmental stage to extend detection capability into the red and far-red bands. 10) 11)

SIFIS has spectral resolution of 0.3 nm with an 0.1 nm sampling interval size. The spectrometer operates with 2x2 km spatial resolution and 20° field of view at a 34 km swath width, while its signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is greater than 350 at a radiance of 10 mW m−2sr-−1nm−1. 12)

Polarisation Imager

CAST has installed a polarising imager aboard the satellite to increase imaging capability, detect aerosols and reduce atmospheric interference. With 35 different polarisation angles, the polarimeter can assess PM2.5 concentrations - the level of fine dust in the air in the horizontal direction, simultaneously employing lidar to assess dust in the vertical direction. 13)

Ground Segment

China Centre For Resources Satellite Data and Application (CRESDA) and State Forestry and Grassland Administration of the People's Republic of China are the primary users of data obtained by the TECIS Goumang satellite.

References

1) 严茂强. Ecosystem monitoring satellite launched. Accessed July 2, 2024. URL: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202208/05/WS62ec72b1a310fd2b29e7070e.html
2) China launches first terrestrial ecosystem carbon monitoring satellite - People’s Daily Online. Accessed July 2, 2024. URL: http://en.people.cn/n3/2022/0812/c90000-10134473.html
3) Goumang Satellite Mission Summary | CEOS Database. Accessed July 2, 2024. URL: https://database.eohandbook.com/database/missionsummary.aspx?missionID=1045
4) TECMS (Guomang). Gunter’s Space Page. Accessed July 2, 2024. URL: https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/tecms.htm
5) Beil A. China launches spaceplane for second time as part of double header. NASASpaceFlight.com. Published August 5, 2022. Accessed July 2, 2024. URL: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/08/china-double-header/
6) Long March 4B | Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Inventory Satellite (TECIS). Accessed July 2, 2024. URL: https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/NextSpaceflight.com/launches/details/6992
7) Percival C. Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Inventory Satellite (TECIS) | Long March 4B. Everyday Astronaut. Published August 23, 2022. Accessed July 2, 2024. URL: https://everydayastronaut.com/terrestrial-ecosystem-carbon-inventory-satellite-tecis-long-march-4b/
8) Li D, Wang M, Guo H, Jin W. On China’s earth observation system: mission, vision and application. Geo-spatial Information Science. 2024;0(0):1-19. doi:10.1080/10095020.2024.2328100
9) SA PDO. China launches first terrestrial ecosystem carbon monitoring satellite. Accessed July 2, 2024. URL: https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/ending-poverty-in-china/features/china-launches-first-terrestrial-ecosystem-carbon-monitoring-satellite-8c1d49cf-f07a-4df1-b6c0-a51859b1953a
10) Du S, Liu L, Liu X, Zhang X, Gao X, Wang W. The Solar-Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence Imaging Spectrometer (SIFIS) Onboard the First Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Inventory Satellite (TECIS-1): Specifications and Prospects. Sensors. 2020;20(3):815. doi:10.3390/s20030815
11) Yu L, Zheng S, Feng H sheng, Wang T, Lin J, Wu S. Solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence imaging spectrometer: design, manufacture, and evaluation. Opt Express, OE. 2022;30(23):41422-41436. doi:10.1364/OE.473782
12) Du S, Liu X, Chen J, Liu L. Prospects for Solar-Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence Remote Sensing from the SIFIS Payload Onboard the TECIS-1 Satellite. Journal of Remote Sensing. 2022;2022. doi:10.34133/2022/9845432
13) Polarimetry | Get to Know SAR. NASA-ISRO SAR Mission (NISAR). Accessed July 2, 2024. URL: https://nisar.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/get-to-know-sar/polarimetry
14) Figure 1. The TECIS-1 satellite layout. ResearchGate. Accessed July 2, 2024. URL: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-TECIS-1-satellite-layout_fig1_339046416