DQ-1 / Daqi-1

DQ-1 / Daqi-1 is a Chinese atmospheric observation satellite operated by CNSA and built by SAST (Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology). It launched on 16 April 2022 and is currently operational.^[1][2] The satellite's primary lidar payload is ACDL, a high-spectral-resolution lidar that measures aerosol optical properties and vertical profiles of clouds and aerosols through the atmosphere.^[3]

In-orbit validation of the ACDL instrument has been reported in peer-reviewed literature, demonstrating aerosol optical property retrievals consistent with ground-based reference measurements.^[3] DQ-1 also carries the Directional Polarisation Camera-2, the Particulate Observing Scanning Polarimeter, the Environment Monitoring Instrument-2, and the Wide Spectral Imager, providing a multi-instrument view of atmospheric composition and air quality.^[1] DQ-1 was followed by DQ-2 / Daqi-2, which added a greenhouse gas spectrometer to the instrument complement.^[1]