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[Jitian Vision] Overlooking the salt lake from a distance, Jitian's twin stars provide insights into the mineral deposits!
2025-07-11
Suzhou-1 Satellite (Jitianxing A-03) and Jilin University-1 Satellite (Jitianxing A-01) are the first two satellites to launch as part of the Jitianxingzhou constellation, a new generation of optical remote sensing satellites. Equipped with independently developed optical cameras featuring high time efficiency, high geometry, and high spectral resolution, the satellites offer both conventional and in-motion imaging capabilities, with a ground-level panchromatic, multispectral, and hyperspectral resolution of 3 meters and a swath width of 15 kilometers.
Deep within the vast Gobi Desert of the Qaidam Basin in Qinghai, a vast expanse of salt lakes is a natural gift from the plateau. As the most densely populated region of salt lakes in China, the majestic Qarhan, the "Sky Mirror" of Chaka, and the vibrant Dongtaijinaier Lake together create a magnificent landscape of the "Salt Lake Basin." Today, however, we will temporarily shift our focus from these renowned salt lakes to a unique landscape nestled alongside them. Using the lens of the Jitianxingzhou satellites, we will gaze upon the vast salt pans surrounding Xitaijinaier Lake, coexisting with the Gobi Desert. From the perspective of the twin stars of Jitian, the blue-green waters of Xitaijinaier Lake dazzle like gemstones, but even more striking at this moment are the salt pans that stretch around the lakeshore. These salt pans, arranged in a regular grid-like geometric pattern across the vast expanse of sky and earth, bear a striking symbol of the collision between nature and human ingenuity.
The salt pans of Xitaijinaier Lake, arranged in neatly arranged grids of vast square pools, stretch for dozens of kilometers. The Mongolian name "Xitaijinaier" speaks of the reverence our ancestors held for these waters. Lying quietly in the heart of a basin surrounded by the Qilian, Kunlun, and Altun Mountains, it stands as a "crystal box" gifted to the earth by the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. With the passing of the seasons, the lake's surface area fluctuates between 126 and 150 square kilometers, like a breath of fresh air. Like loyal guardians, the salt pans, like loyal guardians, spread geometric patterns across dozens of kilometers—the result of the growth rings of salt crystals formed by the brine under the influence of sunlight and wind. The "salt flowers" blooming within the salt pans are not only a spectacle of mineral crystallization but also home to tiny artemia. These tenacious creatures, feeding on algae, serve as essential energy stations for migratory birds, weaving a hidden web of salt marsh ecology.
This salt marsh lies rich in resources. Potassium reserves exceed 200 million tons, and rare elements like lithium and magnesium rank among the highest in China. These resources provide crucial raw materials for the development of new energy and modern agriculture in my country. To protect the ecological environment from damage during the development of these valuable resources, local authorities have explored a path that balances resource utilization with ecological protection through scientific planning and technological innovation. For example, at the Qarhan Salt Lake, local authorities are implementing a "cascaded development + recycling" model, optimizing the layout of salt pans to minimize disruption to the native brine environment. In parts of the Qaidam Basin, photovoltaic and salt pan symbiosis has been implemented, using solar panels to provide shade and reduce evaporation, balancing energy production with ecological conservation.
Leveraging its technological advantages of high timeliness, high geometry, and high spectral resolution, Jitian Xingzhou will further explore the potential of remote sensing data in salt lake resource exploration, salt dust disaster warning, and ecological restoration assessment, promoting the deep integration of remote sensing data with various businesses and ecosystems.
