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Articles in press have been peer-reviewed and accepted, which are not yet assigned to volumes/issues, but are citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI).
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Advances in China’s Ocean Satellite Observation System Since 2024
LIU Yuxin, ZOU Bin, MA Chaofei, FENG Qian, LU Yunfei, YANG Dian
, Available online  , doi: 10.11728/cjss2026.04.2026-yg06
Abstract:
Since 2024, China’s ocean satellite program has made systematic progress in the construction of observation systems, expansion of mission portfolios, enhancement of ground-support capabilities, product development, and intelligent applications. An ocean satellite observation system composed of ocean color satellites, ocean dynamic satellites, and ocean surveillance and monitoring satellites has been initially established, providing multi-satellite coordinated observation capabilities over China’s coastal seas, the global ocean, and polar regions. The successful launch of HY-4A has filled a gap in China’s spaceborne ocean salinity observation capability and provided a foundational capacity for operational global ocean salinity monitoring and related scientific research. The stable operation of ground receiving systems, calibration and validation sites, and data-sharing infrastructure has provided reliable support for networked ocean satellite observations and operational applications. The upgrading of the ocean color satellite data processing system, the development of application-ready products for the Yellow Sea and East China Sea, and the generation of multi-parameter polar sea-ice products indicate that China’s ocean satellite product system is evolving from basic data provision toward thematic, refined, and operational applications. The development of artificial intelligence foundation models represented by “SkyOcean” further suggests that ocean satellite applications are extending from two-dimensional sea-surface observations toward three-dimensional environmental reconstruction and prediction services.
Recent Progresses of the DAMPE Mission
CHANG Jin
, Available online  , doi: 10.11728/cjss2026.04.2026-yg14
Abstract:
The Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) is a space high-energy particle and γ-ray detector whose major scientific goals are the indirect detection of dark matter particles, the origin of cosmic rays and high-energy γ-ray astronomy. Since its successful launch in December, 2015, the DAMPE has been operated smoothly in orbit for more than 10 years. The precise measurement of the secondary boron spectrum reveals a spectral hardening with a very high significance. The spectra of five primary cosmic-ray nuclei, i.e. protons, helium, carbon, oxygen, and iron, are measured to unprecedented high energies, revealing the universal charge-dependent spectral softening for the first time. The energy spectrum of nickel is firstly measured to above TeV/n. The Fermi bubbles and GCE are detected in the γ-ray flux map at very high significances. The DAMPE measurements are expected to significantly advance our understanding of the fundamental problems in astroparticle physics.
Recent Progress of Earth Observation Satellites in China Since 2024
HUANG Shusong, XIA Tian, ZHANG Wenhui, ZHAO Yingfen, CHEN Weirong
, Available online  , doi: 10.11728/cjss2026.04.2026-yg13
Abstract:
Since 2024, China has continuously launched new Earth observation satellites, and now 33 satellites are operating stably in orbit. These satellites are equipped with optical, multispectral, infrared and radar payloads to produce rich remote sensing data. Their spatial resolution covers low, medium and high levels, enabling multi-spectral, all-time and all-weather observation across the globe. The remote sensing data are widely used in natural resource detection, environmental governance, disaster prevention and mitigation, urban mapping, agricultural and forestry investigation, geological exploration and ocean forecasting, bringing substantial social and economic benefits. This article summarizes the overall status of China’s Earth observation satellites since 2024, focusing on satellite launch progress, data coverage and data distribution performance.
The Chinese Meridian Project (CMP) and the International Meridian Circle Program (IMCP): Overview, Progress, and Achievements
WANG Chi, XU Jiyao, ZHANG Qinghe, WANG Jiangyan, REN Liwen, YANG Fang
, Available online  , doi: 10.11728/cjss2026.04.2026-yg07
Abstract:
The National Major Scientific and Technological Infrastructure— the Chinese Meridian Project (CMP) — completed its Phase II acceptance and integration with Phases I in March 2025, and has since entered full operation. The project employs a detection architecture consisting of “one chain, three networks, and four focuses”, deploying 282 monitoring instruments across 31 stations within China’s territory and at both poles. This forms a grid-like comprehensive ground-based network monitoring the geospace environment along 100°E, 120°E, 30°N, and 40°N. Currently, this project has the world's most extensive, comprehensive, and capable such network. The data it acquires are openly shared globally, supporting worldwide cutting-edge scientific research on space weather and its warning/forecasting. This article highlights research advances achieved over the past two years using the CMP data, and briefly introduces the International Meridian Circle Program, which is currently being promoted and initiated based on the CMP.
Recent Advances of the SDGSAT-1 for Supporting Global SDG Monitoring and Evaluation
GUO Huadong, DOU Changyong, JIANG Nijun, TANG Yunwei
, Available online  , doi: 10.11728/cjss2026.04.2026-yg11
Abstract:
As a dedicated scientific satellite tailored to advance the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda), the Sustainable Development Science Satellite 1 (SDGSAT-1) has entered its fifth year of in-orbit operation. This satellite has witnessed a rapid diversification in its research applications. The satellite’s data have been used by more than 116 countries, and over 220 peer-reviewed papers have been published. Such remarkable research growth is attributable to the high-quality data products derived from SDGSAT-1’s technological innovations, alongside its open data access policy and sustainably maintained operational status underpinned by the SDGSAT-1 Open Science Program. This paper presents a state-of-the-art review of the mission’s research progress over the past two years and elaborates on the future development prospects for ongoing global SDG monitoring and assessment.
Insight-HXMT Research Progress in 2024–2026
ZHANG Shu, ZHANG Shuangnan
, Available online  , doi: 10.11728/cjss2026.04.2026-yg09
Abstract:
Since the launch in 2017 June, Insight-HXMT has been in service smoothly in orbit and its scientific productivity has been particularly high since 2024. Among a total number of 425 papers published so far based on Insight-HXMT data, roughly 150 were published from April 2024 to June 2026, accounting for 35% of the total. These studies cover a variety of scientific subjects, including the basic properties of black holes and neutron stars, the outbursts of accreting black hole and neutron star X-ray binaries, thermal nuclear burst probes, quasi-periodical oscillations, cyclotron resonant scattering features, fast radio bursts and gamma-ray bursts, etc. This paper reviews the overall progress with a focus on some potential breakthroughs.
Progress in Space Science and Utilization on the China Space Station in 2024–2026
GU Yidong, WANG Qiang, LÜ Congmin, LI Xuzhi, ZHONG Hongen, LIU Guoning, ZHANG Wei, ZHANG Jiuxing, BA Jin
, Available online  , doi: 10.11728/cjss2026.04.2026-yg05
Abstract:
The China Space Station was assembled by the end of 2022, comprising three modules equipped with intravehicular science experiment racks and extravehicular exposed facilities. Operating for over three years, the station has implemented more than 170 science and utilization projects. A series of original, cutting-edge achievements has been attained in space life sciences and biotechnology, space materials science, microgravity fluid and thermal physics, microgravity combustion science, microgravity fundamental physics, and space innovative technology demonstration. This paper introduces the general progress of in-orbit science and utilization, along with typical scientific discoveries—such as the mammal on-orbit feeding experiment, growth of InSe semiconductor crystals, fabrication of high-performance field-effect transistors on ground, and observation of a metastable Body-Centered Cubic (BCC) phase in the crystallization of charged colloids. Planned science and utilization projects will be executed progressively and systematically. Furthermore, applications and transformations of these findings will be further promoted.
Occultation Distribution and Collaborative Observations of Fengyun Meteorological Satellites and Commercial Satellites
LU Wenqiang, XU Na, CHEN Ran, MENG Xiangguang, LIAO Mi, LIU Yan, TANG Qi, CHENG Yan, YANG Guanglin, HU Xiuqing, ZHAO Xiangang, SUN Yueqiang
, Available online  , doi: 10.11728/cjss2026.03.2025-0123
Abstract:
GNSS Radio Occultation (RO) serves as a key technique for constructing a global high-precision atmospheric and ionospheric sounding capability. China’s operational Fengyun-3 (FY-3) RO system produces data of exceptional quality, characterized by high accuracy, stability, and standardization, making it the current accuracy benchmark in RO sounding. However, due to its orbital configuration, the FY-3 system alone still exhibits coverage gaps in equatorial and polar regions. In recent years, the rapid development of commercial constellations such as Tianmu and Yunyao has enabled multi-source RO cooperative observations, offering a promising approach to enhance the spatiotemporal density of RO data. Based on RO measurements from the FY-3, Tianmu, and Yunyao constellations, this study systematically evaluates the spatial distribution characteristics and joint observation benefits of the three systems. Results demonstrate that integrating commercial constellations significantly increases the number of global RO events and improves coverage at low and high latitudes. Local time coverage is also enhanced from segmented intervals to nearly continuous throughout the day. Despite the considerable improvement in observational density, data overconcentration in certain mid-latitude areas and small-scale gaps under high-resolution analysis remain, indicating that orbital configurations and constellation coordination require further optimization. This study provides quantitative references for the future collaborative development of China’s FY-3 and commercial RO constellations.
Design of Finite Frequency Domain Disturbance Rejection Controller for the Drag-free Spacecraft in Space-borne Gravitational Wave Detection
XU Qianjiao, CUI Bing, WANG Pengcheng, XIA Yuanqing, ZHANG Yonghe
, Available online  , doi: 10.11728/cjss2024.05.2024-0022
Abstract:
In space-borne gravitational wave detection, there are technical challenges in designing the controller for the drag-free spacecraft with dual test masses. These difficulties arise from constraints within the limited measurement frequency domain and the necessity for a high-precision control index. In this paper, a design method of disturbance rejection controller in the finite frequency domain based on the generalized Kalman-Yakubovich-Popov (GKYP) lemma is proposed. Firstly, to address the performance constraints within the designated frequency band of the detection mission, a finite frequency domain control performance index in the form of a frequency response function is constructed. This index is meticulously developed by amalgamating the sensitivity and complementary sensitivity control indexes. Then, a control structure with fixed-order characteristics for output feedback is proposed, and a method for selecting controller parameters based on the GKYP lemma is established. By this, a finite frequency domain disturbance-resistant controller design method is constructed. In contrast to current drag-free controller design methods, the proposed approach significantly diminishes the conservatism in the control index. This realizes the precise design of the controller in the specified frequency band, ultimately resulting in a reduction in the order of the controller. Finally, numerical simulations demonstrate that the proposed method successfully meets the control performance index for each loop of the drag-free system even in the presence of complex disturbances and noises.