China's high-resolution optical remote sensing satellites and their mapping applications

• Published in: Geo-spatial information science Vol. 24; no. 1; pp. 85 - 94
• Main Authors: Li, Deren, Wang, Mi, Jiang, Jie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wuhan Taylor & Francis 02.01.2021; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Earth; Earth observations (from space); global mapping; High resolution; High-resolution optical remote sensing satellite; Image resolution; Mapping; mapping mode; Remote observing; Remote sensing; satellite constellation; Satellites; China
• ISSN: 1009-5020; 1993-5153
• DOI: 10.1080/10095020.2020.1838957

Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, several countries have made great efforts to develop space remote sensing for building a high-resolution earth observation system. Under the great attention of the government and the guidance of the major scientific and technological project of the high-resolution earth observation system, China has made continuous breakthroughs and progress in high-resolution remote sensing imaging technology. The development of domestic high-resolution remote sensing satellites shows a vigorous trend, and consequently, a relatively stable and perfect high-resolution earth observation system has been formed. The development of high-resolution remote sensing satellites has greatly promoted and enriched modern mapping technologies and methods. In this paper, the de velopment status, along with mapping modes and applications of China's high-resolution remote sensing satellites are reviewed, and the development trend in high-resolution earth observation system for global and ground control-free mapping is discussed, providing a reference for the subsequent development of high-resolution remote sensing satellites in China.