EO·Atlas
GF-7 Laser Altimeter
Compiled from public sources on 2026-06-04. Not independently verified by China Academy of Space Technology.
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Two-beam 1064 nm laser altimeter on Gaofen-7 (GF-7), a Chinese stereo mapping satellite launched 2019-11-03. Provides ground elevation profiles for large-scale topographic mapping.
The GF-7 laser altimeter is a two-beam spaceborne laser altimeter carried on Gaofen-7 (GF-7), a Chinese high-resolution stereo mapping satellite launched on 2019-11-03. Manufactured by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and operated by CNSA and CRESDA, the instrument operates at 1064 nm and records full-waveform returns from each pulse.[1][2]
The altimeter emits two beams simultaneously, providing ground elevation profiles that are used in conjunction with GF-7's stereo optical imagery for 1:10000-scale topographic mapping of China. Per-beam pulse energy is approximately 85.7 mJ for beam 1 and approximately 93.7-93.9 mJ for beam 2.[1] The satellite operates at an orbital altitude of approximately 505 km. The footprint diameter at nadir is 17.5 m based on a 35 urad beam divergence at 505 km altitude; a rounded design specification of less than 30 m also applies to the same instrument.[1] On-orbit full-waveform data quality has been assessed following commissioning.[3] The instrument incorporates a footprint camera system for precise laser spot geolocation.[4]
GF-7 was declared operational by CNSA in late 2020 following an in-orbit commissioning period.[5]
Pricing not publicly listed by operator
Supply chain position
None on record.
- [1]Overview of the GF-7 Laser Altimeter System Mission, Earth and Space Science 2020peer reviewed2026-06-04
- [2]Design and Data Processing of China's First Spaceborne Laser Altimeter System for Earth Observation: GaoFen-7, IEEE JSTARS 2020peer reviewed2026-06-04
- [3]Preliminary Quality Analysis of GF-7 Satellite Laser Altimeter Full Waveform Data, ISPRS 2020peer reviewed2026-06-04
- [4]Laser Spot Center Location Method for Chinese Spaceborne GF-7 Footprint Camera, Sensors 2020peer reviewed2026-06-04
- [5]China's Gaofen-7 satellite put into service, CNSA Englishagency doc2026-06-04