Kuafu project

The Kuafu project (simplified Chinese: 夸父计划; traditional Chinese: 夸父計劃; pinyin: Kuāfù Jìhuà) is a Chinese space project to establish a space weather forecasting system composed of three satellites, originally to be completed by 2012.[1] As of the Solar Wind XIII conference[2] in June 2012, the planned launch date was 2017. However, due to withdrawal first by Canada and then ESA, the project was indefinitely postponed.[3]

The project is named after Kuafu, a giant in Chinese mythology who chased the sun and died trying.

One of these satellites would be placed at the Sun-Earth Lagrangian Point L1, while the other two would be placed in polar orbits.[4]

References

1. "我国目光超越月球 "夸父计划"雄心勃勃". People's Daily. 2006-07-25. Retrieved 2008-04-21.
2. "Solar Wind 13". 2012-06-20. Archived from the original on 2012-02-02. Retrieved 2012-06-20.
3. "China pulls plug on solar observatory". Science. 2014-10-31.
4. "夸父计划进入技术攻关 将发射3颗测日卫星". Xinhuanet. April 16, 2008. Archived from the original on April 22, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.