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EO·Atlas / Sensors / Coastal Zone Imager
Sensor · Spaceborne

Coastal Zone Imager

Compiled from public sources on 2026-06-15. Not independently verified by China Academy of Space Technology.

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Missions → HY-1D (Operational) , HY-1C (Operational)

Coastal optical imager flown on HY-1D.

Sensor

The Coastal Zone Imager (CZI) is a spaceborne passive optical instrument designed for ocean-colour monitoring and coastal observation. It has flown on the HY-1 ocean-colour satellite series.[1]

Resolution and swath differ by satellite generation. On HY-1A and HY-1B, CZI operated at 250 m ground sampling distance with a 500 km swath.[1] On HY-1C and HY-1D the design was substantially upgraded: ground sampling distance was improved to 50 m,[2] and swath was extended to approximately 950 km by mosaicking imagery from two cameras, each covering a 32-degree field of view with a 1-degree overlap.[3]

The spectral configuration supports ocean-colour retrieval, vegetation index mapping, and optical time-series change detection.[1] The focal-plane array type is not disclosed in publicly available documentation.

Operator pricing

Pricing not publicly listed by operator

Where this fits, supply chain

Compositional position

HY-1D ——— this payload
HY-1C ——— this payload
this ——— HY-1D (Operational) flies on
this ——— HY-1C (Operational) flies on
Methods this sensor implements
Demonstrated

None on record.

Capable, undemonstrated
  • Optical time-series change detection

    CZI is a coastal optical imaging payload on operational HY-1D; detailed use-case evidence should be strengthened in full sensor research.

  • Ocean colour / water-leaving radiancepending review

    CZI 4-band (460,560,650,825 nm) used for coastal water quality and HAB detection; 4 bands below ocean-colour-method minimum of 5 bands hence capable-pending-review

  • Vegetation index mapping

    CZI 650 nm and 825 nm bands enable NDVI-equivalent vegetation index mapping over coastal zones and tidal flats

Topics this relates to
Coastal water qualityOcean colour / water-leaving radiance(capable-pending-review)well suited
Harmful algal bloomsOcean colour / water-leaving radiance(capable-pending-review)well suited
Inland waterOcean colour / water-leaving radiance(capable-pending-review)well suited
Marine primary productionOcean colour / water-leaving radiance(capable-pending-review)well suited
Greenhouse gas inventoryOcean colour / water-leaving radiance(capable-pending-review)adequate
Illegal and unregulated fishingOcean colour / water-leaving radiance(capable-pending-review)adequate
Coastal erosionOcean colour / water-leaving radiance(capable-pending-review)marginal
Disaster damage assessmentOptical time-series change detection(capable)adequate
Economic activity intelligenceOptical time-series change detection(capable)adequate
Transport infrastructure monitoringOptical time-series change detection(capable)adequate
Vector-borne disease riskOptical time-series change detection(capable)marginal
Crop phenologyVegetation index mapping(capable)well suited
Crop stress and yieldVegetation index mapping(capable)well suited
DeforestationVegetation index mapping(capable)well suited
Land cover changeVegetation index mapping(capable)well suited
Pasture and grazingVegetation index mapping(capable)well suited
Urban changeVegetation index mapping(capable)well suited
DroughtVegetation index mapping(capable)adequate
Irrigation monitoringVegetation index mapping(capable)adequate
Pest and disease detectionVegetation index mapping(capable)adequate
Power grid and vegetation encroachmentVegetation index mapping(capable)adequate
Urban heat islandVegetation index mapping(capable)adequate
WildfireVegetation index mapping(capable)adequate
Biodiversity and habitatVegetation index mapping(capable)marginal
Crop-type mappingVegetation index mapping(capable)marginal
Forest structure and biomassVegetation index mapping(capable)marginal
Illegal constructionVegetation index mapping(capable)marginal
Mineral explorationVegetation index mapping(capable)marginal
Pipeline integrityVegetation index mapping(capable)marginal
Solar energy siting and monitoringVegetation index mapping(capable)marginal
Vessel trackingVegetation index mapping(capable)marginal
Wind energy sitingVegetation index mapping(capable)marginal
Sources
Cite https://eo-atlas.org/products/sensor/czi Markdown twin → Field definitions → Suggest a correction →