Suggestion of EFS-small satellite system for impending earthquake forecast

Abstract

In the IAF Congress ’92 a multiple small satellite Earth observation system was put forward with sensors of visible and infrared spectrums. The system could shorten the revisiting period so that any place on the world could be observed twice a day. Now we extend the idea to the microwave remote sensing satellite system. The main purpose of the system is the impending forecast of earthquakes. According to the theory and long-time concrete practice of Qiang Zuji through the observation of temperature increase of the low layer of atmosphere and its moving trend caused by some sorts of radiation and gases released from Earth interior, an impending strong earthquake could be predicted in time. As the temperature increase is detected by thermo-infrared spectrum sensors on the meteorological satellites, the observation may be sometimes obstructed by cloud or rain. In the suggested system, mm-wave radiometers are used and those obstructions could be generally overcome. Besides, radiometers of some other microwave frequencies are also included so as to make the small satellite system useful for observation of atmosphere, soil and crops. The platform construction and the altitude control system of the satellites suitable to the sweeping radiometer antennas are stressfully implemented. The orbit of the satellites in the system is well designed so that any place in the world could be observed twice a day in accordance with the optical small satellite system.