Abstract
The success of communications satellites encouraged China to develop a range of applications satellites for weather forecasting in both polar and geostationary orbit (Fengyun, Yunhai), Earth resources (Gaofen, Gaojing, Ziyuan, Jilin), marine surveillance (Haiyang), mapping (Tianhui), climate change (Tansat) and navigation (Beidou, Compass). These activities involved cooperation with other countries, such as Brazil (CBERS). China also developed a multitude of minisatellites (Chuangxin, Lixing, Banxing, Lingqiao) and there is also a range of military satellites, for example for Earth observations and electronic intelligence (Yaogan) and interception (Shijian). These programs, their outcomes, value and significance are described in this chapter, with tables for each.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Johnson, Nicholas: History of on-orbit satellite fragmentations. 14th edition. Hanover MD, 2008; Shixiu, Bao: Deterrence revisited: outer space. China security. Winter 2007: Hitchens, Theresa: Cold war in space? China security. Winter 2007; Hagt, Eric: ASAT test: strategic response. China security. Winter 2007.
Yu Yang: Dynamic modelling and analysis of space webs. Science China, vol 53, #1–6, May 2010.
Glenshaw, Paul: The first space ace – F-15 vs satellite. Air & Space, vol 33, #1, April/May 2018.
Weeden, Brian: Through a glass, darkly: Chinese, American and Russian anti-satellite testing in space and with Samson, Victoria: Global counterspace capabilities – an open source assessment. Washington DC, Secure World Foundation, 17 March 2014, April 2018; Smid, Henk: Ruimtewapens. Presentation sent to author 12 August 2018.
United States Congress: Report to Congress of the US China economic and security review commission. Washington DC, US Government Printing Office, 2017 and preceding years; for a recent summary, see Nurkin, Tate: China’s advanced weapon systems. US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, supplied to Jane’s by IHS Market, 12 May 2018. Cordesman, Anthony: Chinese space strategy and developments. Center for Strategic International Studies, 2016.
Tang, Yunqiu; Zhang, Jiashen & Wang, Jingsong: FY-3 meteorological satellites and their applications. Space activities in China, 2014 (report to COSPAR).
Tang Yunqiu et al: Observations from Fengyun satellites. 2016 COSPAR national report.
Chen, Shu-Peng: Remote sensing and its application Hu, Wen-Rui (ed): Space science in China. Amsteldijk, Gordon & Breach, 1997.
Clark, Phil: Orbital maneuvers of China’s Ziyuan satellites. JBIS, vol 55, 2002; Presentation on Chinese space program. BIS, London, June 2006.
Cao, Haiyi: Overview of ZY-3 satellite research and application. Paper presented to International Astronautical Congress, Naples, 2012.
Desmos, Yves-Louis; Bergquist, Karl; Zengyuan, Li: The Dragon program – ESA and China cooperate in Earth observations. ESA Bulletin, #119, August 2004). ESA: Dragon program final results. Proceedings of 2008 symposium in Beijing, 21–25 April 2008. Paris, ESA, SP655; ESA: Dragon 2 program mid-term results 2008, 2010, 17–21 May 2010, Guilin. Paris, ESA, SP-684; ESA/NASCC: Dragon 2 program. Paris, author, 2009, 2011.
Oliviera, Fabiola de: Brasil-China: 20 anos de cooperação espacial. São Carlos, 2009. For the issue of digital imaging, see China’s space programs open up the world. Xinua News Agency, 24 October 2018.
Clark, Phil: China’s Shiyan Weixing satellite program. Space Chronicle, vol 71, #1, January 2018.
Pollpeter, Kevin: China’s space robotic arm programs. UC San Diego Newsletter, 17 October 2012.
Jiang, Xingwei & Lin, Mingsen: Ocean observation from Haiyang satellites, 2012–2014. Space activities in China, 2014 (report to COSPAR).
Lu, Chunling; Bao, Zhaoguang; Li Changjun & Lu Damin: GF-1 satellite high resolution and wide swath mission design and technology characteristics. Paper presented to International Astronautical Congress, Toronto, 2014.
Li, Ming: Gaofen 2 mission introduction and characteristics. Presentation, International Astronautical Federation, Jerusalem, 2015.
Dafang, Zhuang: Research and application of space information technology in disease control and prevention field in China. Presentation at COPUOS, 60th session. Vienna, June 2017.
Li, Chengzhi: The Chinese GNSS – system development and policy analysis. Space Policy, vol 29, 2013.
Cordesman, Anthony: Chinese space strategy and developments. Center for Strategic International Studies, 2016.
Chan, Minnie: Unforgettable humiliation led to development of GPS equivalent. South China Morning Post, 13 November 2009.
Johnson-Freese, Joan & Erikson, Andrew: The emerging China-EU space partnership: a geotechnical barrier. Space Policy, 2006, #22; Pollpeter, Kevin; Anderson, Eric; Wilson, Jordan & Yang, Fan: China dream, space dream. China’s progress in space technologies and implications for the United States. US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, undated.
For progress reports on the development of the Beidou system, see China Satellite Navigation Office: Beidou – bring the world and China to your doorstep. Presentation at COPUOS, Vienna, June 2012; China Satellite Navigation Office: Development of Beidou Navigation Satellite System. Presentation to COPUOS, Vienna, June 2013; Operation and development of Beidou navigation satellite system. Presentation at COPUOS, Vienna, June 2015; Ma Jiaqing: The progress of Beidou navigation satellite system. Presentation, COPUOS, Vienna, June 2016.
Sun, Degang & Zhang, Yuyou: Building an outer space silk road – China’s Beidou navigation satellite system in the Arab world. Journal of Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies. vol 10, #3, 2016.
Chen, Erhu; Cheng, Xi & Liu, Lu: Optical satellite network design based on China’s data relay satellite system. Paper presented to International Astronautical Congress, Toronto, 2014.
Gosnold: The Yaogan 30 high-revisit constellation, posted 3 December 2017 and taken from eastpendulum.com; Perrett, Bradley: China’s growing ability to drive away US forces. Aviation Week & Space Technology, 24 October 2018.
Wu Weiqi & Zhang Yulin: Optimization and design of baseline direction of satellite SAR system. Chinese Journal of Space Science, vol 26 (3), 2006; Gu, Defeng et al: CDGPS relative position determination of distributed SAR satellite formation based on dynamic orbit model. Chinese Journal of Space Science, vol 29 (5), 2009.
Weeden, Brian: Dancing in the dark – the orbital rendezvous of SJ-12 and SJ-6F. The Space Review, 30 August 2010; see also Ho, Cheng: China eyes anti-satellite system. Space Daily, 8 January 2000; Satellite digest, Spaceflight, vol 53, #10, October 2011. For an analysis of Shijiian 6, see Novosti Kosmonautiki, 2008, #12.
In space eavesdropping? China’s Shijian 17 complete high-altitude link-up. Spaceflight.101 posting, 9 December 2016; Weeden, Brian & Samson, Victoria: Global counterspace capabilities – an open source assessment. Washington DC, Secure World Foundation, 2018; Jonathan’s Space Report, No. 754.
Wu Shafen & Chen Hongyu: Macro/nanosatellite technologies and applications in China. Go Taikonauts! vol 15, 2015; Erikson, Andrew: MicroSatellites – a bell weather of Chinese aerospace progress? in Lisa Parks and James Schwoch (eds): Down to Earth - satellite technologies, industries and cultures. New Brunswick, New Jersey, Rutgers University Press, 2012. For a review of the new companies involved in microsatellites, see Chan, Lan: Commercial space takes off in China. Go Taikonauts, #22, 2018.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Harvey, B. (2019). Applications and military. In: China in Space. Springer Praxis Books(). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19588-5_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19588-5_6
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-19587-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-19588-5
eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyPhysics and Astronomy (R0)