China will launch HD satellites later this year

The Department of Geographic Information surveying the Chinese map said it would launch high-definition civilian survey (HD) satellites later this year. This will be the first satellite of this type in China.

During a press conference on August 8, Mr. Song Chaozhi, the deputy director of the bureau, said that the satellite named ZY 3 would be launched by the 4-Chang Truong Chinh rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi Province.

After being successfully launched, the ZY 3 satellite will operate in the synchronous orbit of the Sun at an altitude of about 506km and is capable of creating a smooth image of the Earth's surface from 84 degrees south to 84 degrees north latitude, providing images with the highest resolution and accuracy in China.

Song added that the satellite will make a significant contribution to mapping efforts in areas of western China, where geographic information gathering and updating is difficult due to restrictions on equipment and technology.