# CFOSAT

> joint Chinese and French oceanography satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q66293317](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q66293317)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cfosat

## Summary
CFOSAT (Chinese-French Oceanography Satellite) is a joint space mission between China and France designed for oceanographic research. Launched on October 29, 2018, it functions as an Earth observation satellite tasked with monitoring the marine environment from orbit.

## Key Facts
*   **Official Name:** Chinese-French Oceanography Satellite (CFOSAT), also known as Zhongfa Haiyangxue Weixing.
*   **Launch Date:** October 29, 2018.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** Long March 2C (Chinese orbital carrier rocket).
*   **Launch Site:** Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
*   **Mission Type:** Joint Chinese and French oceanography satellite; instance of an Earth observation satellite and artificial satellite of the Earth.
*   **COSPAR ID:** 2018-083A.
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 43662.
*   **Identifiers:** Google Knowledge Graph ID `/g/120sd58q`; Encyclopedia of China (Third Edition) ID `401738`.

## FAQs
### Q: What does CFOSAT stand for?
A: CFOSAT stands for the Chinese-French Oceanography Satellite. It is also referred to as the China France Oceanography Satellite or by its Chinese name, Zhongfa Haiyangxue Weixing.

### Q: When was CFOSAT launched?
A: CFOSAT was successfully launched on October 29, 2018. It was sent into orbit from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch CFOSAT?
A: The satellite was launched aboard a Long March 2C, which is a Chinese orbital carrier rocket.

## Why It Matters
CFOSAT represents a significant milestone in international space cooperation, specifically serving as a collaborative project between China and France. As a specialized Earth observation satellite, its primary function is to observe the Earth from orbit, contributing to the global understanding of oceanography.

By operating as an artificial satellite dedicated to marine studies, CFOSAT plays a critical role in the collection of oceanographic data. This joint venture leverages the technological capabilities of both nations to monitor the Earth's oceans, enhancing the ability to study maritime environments from space. Its presence in orbit adds to the network of spacecraft observing the Earth, providing valuable data for scientific research and environmental monitoring.

## Notable For
*   Being a joint collaborative mission between the space agencies of China and France.
*   Operating as a dedicated oceanography satellite specifically designed to observe Earth from orbit.
*   Launching aboard the Long March 2C, a reliable Chinese orbital carrier rocket.
*   Maintaining a specific record in space catalogs via its COSPAR ID (2018-083A) and Satellite Catalog Number (43662).

## Body
### Mission Profile
CFOSAT is an artificial satellite of the Earth classified specifically as an Earth observation satellite. It operates as a spacecraft orbiting the Earth with a designated focus on oceanography. The satellite is a product of international cooperation, identified distinctly as a joint Chinese and French initiative.

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully delivered into space on October 29, 2018. The launch took place at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The launch vehicle utilized for the mission was the Long March 2C, a standard Chinese orbital carrier rocket.

### Technical Identifiers
The spacecraft is tracked and cataloged through several identifiers:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 2018-083A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number:** 43662
*   **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/120sd58q
*   **Encyclopedia of China (Third Edition) ID:** 401738

### Alternate Names and Aliases
The entity is known by several names across different languages and databases:
*   Chinese-French Oceanography Satellite
*   Zhongfa Haiyangxue Weixing
*   China France Oceanography Satellite

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report