Abstract: China’s ocean satellites are divided into three series based on ocean color satellites (HY-1), ocean dynamic environment satellites (HY-2) and ocean monitoring satellites (HY-3). The three series of ocean satellites operate today in a multi-satellite network. The HY-1D satellite launched in June 2020 and the HY-1C satellite, already in orbit, realized a network observation capability and completed the formation of the ocean color satellite constellation. The HY-2D satellite launched in May 2021 joined the HY-2B and HY-2C satellites, which have been on orbit already and completed a network observation capability, thus establishing the ocean dynamic environment satellite constellation. The GF-3 02 satellite (1 m C-SAR 01) launched in November 2021 has networked with GF-3, initially establishing an ocean monitoring satellite constellation, which has finally completed its construction with the launch of the GF-3 03 satellite (1 m C-SAR 02) in April 2022. The GF-3 three-satellite network effectively boasts a wide capability in applications of satellite data products and services in many fields, such as ocean environmental monitoring, ocean disaster prevention and mitigation, marine scientific research and polar research.

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