Sensor · Spaceborne

Ziyuan-3 Laser Altimeter

Compiled from public sources on 2026-06-04. Not independently verified by China Academy of Space Technology.

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Missions → ZY-3 02 (Operational) , ZY-3 03 (Operational) , ZY-3 04 (Operational)

Single-beam 1064 nm laser altimeter series flown on ZY-3 02 (2016), ZY-3 03 (2020), and ZY-3 04 (2025) for terrain elevation and canopy height measurement.

Sensor

The Ziyuan-3 laser altimeter is a single-beam spaceborne laser altimeter series flown on successive Ziyuan-3 (ZY-3) satellites: ZY-3 02 (launched 2016-05-30), ZY-3 03 (launched 2020-07-25), and ZY-3 04 (launched 2025-12-16). Manufactured by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and operated by CRESDA and CNSA, each instrument operates at 1064 nm.^[1]^[2]

The design across the series uses a single nadir-pointing beam to provide terrain elevation profiles complementing the stereo optical cameras on each platform. For ZY3-02, the footprint diameter is 50 m in the tabulated design specification and approximately 75 m in the same characterisation, with the latter figure likely representing the effective nadir footprint.^[1] ZY3-02 operates at an orbital altitude of approximately 484-500 km. Stereo imagery from ZY3-02 integrated with altimeter elevation data has been applied to terrain modelling.^[3]

Waveform recording capability differs across the series. ZY3-02 records ranging information without full-waveform data.^[1] ZY3-03 represents a second-generation design with improved performance and underwent pointing bias calibration following its launch.^[2] ZY-3 04, launched in December 2025, is the fourth satellite in the ZY-3 series and the third to carry a laser altimeter.^[4]^[5]

Where this fits, supply chain

Compositional position

ZY-3 02 ——— this payload

ZY-3 03 ——— this payload

ZY-3 04 ——— this payload

this ——— ZY-3 02 (Operational) flies on

this ——— ZY-3 03 (Operational) flies on

this ——— ZY-3 04 (Operational) flies on

Methods this sensor implements

Demonstrated

Spaceborne LiDAR altimetryvia ZY-3 02

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]ZY3-02 Laser Altimeter Footprint Geolocation Prediction, Sensors 2017peer reviewed2026-06-04
[2]Preliminary Pointing Bias Calibration of ZY3-03 Laser Altimeter, JGGS 2021peer reviewed2026-06-04
[3]Integrating Stereo Images and Laser Altimeter Data of ZY3-02 for Improved Earth Topographic Modeling, Remote Sensing 2019peer reviewed2026-06-04
[4]China launches satellite to enhance survey, mapping service capabilities (ZY-3 04), Guangming Online 2025operator press2026-06-04
[5]China launches satellite to enhance survey, mapping service capabilities, People's Daily 2025operator press2026-06-04

Cite https://eo-atlas.org/products/sensor/ziyuan-3-laser-altimeter Markdown twin → Field definitions →