ZY-3 02

ZY-3 02 (ZiYuan-3 02) is the second satellite in China's ZiYuan-3 civil stereoscopic mapping series, operated by CNSA and manufactured by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST). It launched on 30 May 2016 from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center into a sun-synchronous orbit.^[1][2]

The satellite carries a stereoscopic camera system and an experimental laser altimeter operating at 1064 nm.^[3] Peer-reviewed literature describes ZY-3 02 as the first Chinese satellite equipped with an experimental spaceborne laser altimeter; the instrument measures ground elevation to support 1:50,000-scale topographic mapping and land surface monitoring.^[3][4]

The operational altitude is approximately 505 to 506 km, as recorded by WMO OSCAR and the CEOS EO Handbook.^[2][5] Launch tracking sources recorded an initial insertion orbit of approximately 484 x 500 km that subsequently circularised to the station-keeping value.^[1]

Data management for the ZY-3 series is handled by the Satellite Surveying and Mapping Application Center (SASMAC) under the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). ZY-3 02 was designed for a five-year operational lifetime according to Gunter's Space Page;^[1] the satellite was continuing to operate beyond that design period as of the research date.