China is expanding its fleet of high-resolution remote sensing satellites with the launch of Beijing-3C

China has successfully launched four Beijing-3C satellites from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern Sichuan Province. The satellites were launched by a Long March 2D launch vehicle and will join the nation's constellation of high-resolution remote sensing satellites.

The Beijing-3C satellites are designed and manufactured by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) in collaboration with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) of the United Kingdom. Each satellite weighs 880 kilograms and carries a panchromatic camera with a terrestrial resolution of 0.7 meters and a multispectral camera with a terrestrial resolution of 2.8 meters.

The satellites will be used to provide commercial surveillance services to a variety of clients, including government agencies, businesses and research institutions. They will be able to capture images of the Earth's surface in real time and with high accuracy, providing valuable data for a wide range of applications, such as:

Urban planning and management

Environmental monitoring

Assistance in case of natural disasters

Precision farming

Resource exploration

The launch of the Beijing-3C satellites is an important step in China's efforts to modernize its national governance system. Satellites will provide the government with important data for decision-making in areas such as land use planning, environmental protection and disaster response.

Satellites are also expected to play a role in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The BRI is a global infrastructure development program that aims to connect China with other countries in Asia, Europe and Africa. The Beijing-3C satellites can be used to provide mapping and other data services to support BRI projects.

The launch of the Beijing-3C satellites is a significant achievement for China's space program. The satellites are a testament to China's growing capabilities in remote sensing and will play an important role in the country's future development.