Sensor · Spaceborne

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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Missions → Gaofen-7 (GF-7) (Operational)

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.

Sensor

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]

Where this fits, supply chain

Compositional position

Gaofen-7 (GF-7) ——— this payload

this ——— Gaofen-7 (GF-7) (Operational) flies on

Methods this sensor implements

Demonstrated

Spaceborne LiDAR altimetryvia Gaofen-7 (GF-7)

Capable, undemonstrated

None on record.

Topics this relates to

Biodiversity and habitat Spaceborne LiDAR altimetry(demonstrated)well suited

Forest structure and biomass Spaceborne LiDAR altimetry(demonstrated)well suited

Glacier and ice-sheet mass Spaceborne LiDAR altimetry(demonstrated)well suited

Power grid and vegetation encroachment Spaceborne LiDAR altimetry(demonstrated)well suited

Snow water equivalent Spaceborne LiDAR altimetry(demonstrated)well suited

Coastal erosion Spaceborne LiDAR altimetry(demonstrated)adequate

Geology and geohazards Spaceborne LiDAR altimetry(demonstrated)adequate

Deforestation Spaceborne LiDAR altimetry(demonstrated)marginal

Subsidence Spaceborne LiDAR altimetry(demonstrated)marginal

Sources

[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

Cite https://eo-atlas.org/products/sensor/gf-7-laser-altimeter Markdown twin → Field definitions →