China’s Xinzhou 60 Remote Sensing Aircraft Expands Role in Scientific Research

The Xinzhou 60 remote sensing aircraft, developed by China, is being utilized for various scientific research and its role is expanding. This medium- to large-sized remote sensing aircraft boasts multitasking capabilities and a multi-functional observation window, jointly developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

Recently, the Space Science Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Aerospace Information Innovation Institute conducted a soil-vegetation-atmosphere continuum moisture penetration remote sensing experiment in the Luanhe River basin using the Xinzhou 60 remote sensing aircraft. This cutting-edge technology is crucial for ecological conservation and green development.

The aircraft acts as an airborne remote sensing system, observing forests, farmland, and grasslands from above to accurately determine vegetation and soil moisture content. This innovative approach enables researchers to gather valuable data, which can be used to inform decision-making in various fields, including agriculture, forestry, and environmental conservation.

The Xinzhou 60 remote sensing model is an aircraft platform that adds the performance and systems required for scientific experiments to the Xinzhou 60 branch aircraft. Chief Designer Ding Yaxiu explained, “The Xinzhou 60 remote sensing aircraft is equipped with dozens of cutting-edge equipment and various systems to collect, record, process, and transmit data.”

The model can be used for various scientific research, including agricultural and forestry data investigation, geological and mineral exploration, hydrology, environmental monitoring and assessment, disaster relief, surveying, and mapping. Its versatility and advanced technology make it an invaluable tool for researchers and scientists.

According to Zhu Jinbiao, deputy director of the Airborne Remote Sensing Center at the Academy of Aerospace Information Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, “The Xinzhou 60 remote sensing aircraft’s biggest feature is its large loading capacity. It can be equipped with 18 observation windows of seven types necessary for ground observation.”

Aircraft remote sensing has several advantages over satellite remote sensing, including flexibility in selecting observation time, location, and means. It also boasts good maneuverability, high resolution, and flexible load setting. As Deputy Director Zhu noted, “The aircraft is playing an increasingly important role not only in scientific research but also in emergency rescue and disaster prevention.”

Currently, two Xinzhou 60 remote sensing aircraft are in operation and have achieved notable results in the fields of agriculture, disaster relief, and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau research. Last year, the Xinzhou 60 remote sensing aircraft carried out 15 national projects, including the Yellow River Delta land and sea integrated ecological monitoring experiment and high-precision digital image acquisition based on the Beidou space-time benchmark.