Optical measurement team provides intuitive, clear image data for launch missions

The optical measurement team at China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center are dedicated to providing intuitive and clear image data for all space launch missions, including the upcoming launch of Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceship.

The team uses cameras to precisely measure the rocket's flight trajectory in real time, capture key flight states, and provide the most intuitive images for the command center and live TV broadcasts.

It serves as "eyes" for each space launch, offering visual references to experts to make decisions.

"The task of our optical measurement team is to make the 'eyes' brighter, more stable, and always in good working order. As there are more and more missions, our optical equipment needs greater stability and durability," said Sun Rui, an engineer at the launch center.

By deploying optical devices of different types for continuous tracking, the optical measurement team has achieved full-arc coverage from rocket ignition to orbit insertion. With the support of multiple stations equipped with different devices, the team can obtain the best flight images of the rocket at different stages.

To make their data more reliable for crewed space launch missions, the team, based on the overall technical plan, has formulated contingency plans for the optical measurement devices and carried out targeted trainings.

"We have made efforts in equipment optimization and personnel improvement, strengthened daily maintenance and inspection, established a full-process equipment control mechanism, regularly sorted out equipment hazards and carried out targeted debugging to ensure that the equipment is always in the best condition. We have also focused on technical shortcomings to carry out scientific research and innovation to enhance the flexibility and convenience of the equipment, improve the imaging accuracy of key parts of the rocket, and make the equipment more suitable for complex mission requirements," said Sun.

The Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceship is slated to be launched at an appropriate time in the coming days, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said on Saturday.

The combination of the spaceship and a Long March-2F carrier rocket has been transferred to the launching area, according to the CMSA.

All facilities and equipment at the launch site are in good condition. Various pre-launch function checks and joint tests are being carried out as planned.

Optical measurement team provides intuitive, clear image data for launch missions

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Thursday presided over a State Council executive meeting that studied work on building a unified national market and reviewed and approved a plan for the development of a modern emergency response system during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).

Noting that building a unified national market is essential to advancing high-quality development, the meeting called for deepening institutional frameworks in areas such as property rights protection, market access, fair competition, social credit and market exit mechanisms.

The meeting also urged efforts to advance high-standard connectivity of market infrastructure to facilitate smooth economic circulation and effectively reduce logistics costs across society.

Emergency management is critical to protecting people's lives and property, the meeting said. It called for accelerating the development of a modern emergency response system, deepening reform and innovation in emergency management, and improving coordinated response mechanisms.

Efforts should be made to strengthen risk prevention at the source, enhance monitoring, forecasting and early warning, and accelerate a shift in governance toward proactive prevention, according to the meeting.

A draft revision of the Law on the People's Bank of China was also discussed and approved in principle at the meeting, which decided to submit the draft to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for deliberation.

Chinese premier chairs State Council executive meeting