Do you know these seven high-scoring brothers?

7 is a unique and interesting number. For example, there are 7 days in a week, 7 beads in each row of an abacus, 7 colors in the spectrum, and so on... The number 7 is also of great significance for the high-resolution earth observation system. Today, let us learn about the seven satellites of the Gaofen family!

Gaofen-1

GF-1 was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on April 26, 2013. It has made breakthroughs in key technologies such as optical remote sensing technology combining high spatial resolution, multi-spectral and high temporal resolution, multi-payload image stitching and fusion technology, high-precision and high-stability attitude control technology, 5-8 years of high-reliability low-orbit satellite technology, and high-resolution data processing and application. It has promoted the improvement of my country's satellite engineering level and increased my country's self-sufficiency rate in high-resolution data.

Rongbuk Glacier photographed by Gaofen-1

GF-2

GF-2 was launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center on August 19, 2014. It is my country's first independently developed civilian optical remote sensing satellite with a spatial resolution better than 1 meter. It is equipped with two high-resolution 1-meter panchromatic and 4-meter multispectral cameras. It has the characteristics of sub-meter spatial resolution, high positioning accuracy and rapid attitude maneuverability, which effectively improves the satellite's comprehensive observation efficiency and reaches the international advanced level.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain photographed by Gaofen-2

Gaofen-3

GF-3 was successfully launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center on August 10, 2016. It is my country's first C-band multi-polarization synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite with a resolution of 1 meter. It has significantly enhanced my country's earth remote sensing observation capabilities and is an important basis for the GF special project to achieve spatiotemporal coordination, all-weather and all-day earth observation goals.

Gaofen-3 image of Jiuzhaigou area after the earthquake

GF-4

Gaofen-4 was successfully launched at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center on December 29, 2015. Gaofen-4 is a geosynchronous orbit satellite with high spatial resolution, multiple payload types, strong maneuverability, wide range, and rapid imaging. It can provide important support for disaster early warning, disaster decision-making assistance, and other business operations.

Gaofen-4 images of the Muli fire and the Xichang fire

Gaofen-5

The Gaofen-5 was successfully launched at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center on May 9, 2018. It fills the gap that domestic satellites cannot effectively detect regional atmospheric pollutants, can meet the urgent needs of comprehensive environmental monitoring, and is an important symbol of China's ability to achieve high spectral resolution earth observation.

Guangzhou photographed by Gaofen-5

Gaofen-6

Gaofen-6 was successfully launched at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on June 2, 2018. It is a low-orbit optical remote sensing satellite and my country's first high-resolution satellite for precision agricultural observation. It has the characteristics of combining high resolution and wide coverage. Its image data is mainly used in agriculture, forestry and disaster reduction business fields, taking into account application needs such as environmental protection, national security and housing construction.

Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake photographed by Gaofen-6

Gaofen-7

Gaofen-7 was successfully launched at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center on November 3, 2019. It is my country's first civilian sub-meter optical transmission stereo mapping satellite. It carries payloads such as a dual-line array stereo camera and a laser altimeter, making a breakthrough in sub-meter stereo mapping camera technology and capable of acquiring high spatial resolution optical stereo observation data and high-precision laser altimeter data.

Gaofen-7 Daxing International Airport true color fused orthophoto

At present, the self-sufficiency rate of high-resolution satellite data exceeds 90%. It has been widely used in 28 industries, 31 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government) and countries along the "Belt and Road", achieved remarkable application results, and has become an important information technology means relied upon by related industries to carry out their main business.

Source/China High Resolution Observatory WeChat Official Account

Photo/National Land Satellite Remote Sensing Application Center

Editor/Yang Sishuang

Review/Yang Jie

Producer/Xu Chunmei