Satellite

The 1500 kg satellite carries a payload for the altimetry mission composed of:

• a Ku/C double-frequency nadir radar altimeter (China)
• a triple-frequency nadir radiometer (China)
• a laser retro reflector (China)
• a DORIS instrument (France)
• a double-frequency high precision GPS instrument (China)

HY-2A during mechanical tests

In addition to the altimetry payload, two instruments complete the available measurements:

• a scanning radiometer in five frequencies (China) dedicated to surface temperature measurement;
• a scanning scatterometer in Ku band (China) dedicated to surface wind measurement.

First mock-up of the HY-2A satellite