Development of Remote Sensing Technology in China

China's remote sensing technology started late, and the systematic development of remote sensing technology began in the early 1950s, mainly by introducing the conventional aerial photography technology of the former Soviet Union, carrying out large-area aerial photography, and starting the comprehensive utilization of aerial surveying and mapping and aerial photography (mainly used for forest resources investigation and resource development). By the 1960s, aerial photography and its application had formed a complete system, which was widely used in sampling survey and mapping of forest resources, investigation and evaluation of environmental quality and investigation and monitoring of some disasters.

Since 1970s, with the rapid development of remote sensing technology, China began to introduce and study modern remote sensing technology. On the one hand, a batch of land satellite images and a small amount of instruments and equipment were purchased from abroad for image interpretation and application; On the other hand, China has actively carried out its own remote sensing research, established a ground receiving station and launched a series of Earth observation satellites (table 1- 1). From 65438 to 0970, China successfully developed and launched the first artificial earth satellite Dongfanghong-1, becoming the fifth country in the world to independently develop and launch an artificial earth satellite. 1988, China successfully launched the experimental meteorological satellite Fengyun-1 a for the first time. Since then, China has formed its own independent Fengyun meteorological satellite series, which has played an important role in China's meteorological modernization, industrial and agricultural production, aviation, navigation, forest fire prevention, environmental monitoring and military applications. 1999, China's first China-Brazil earth resources satellite (CBERS-0 1) was successfully launched, ending the history that China did not have a high spatial resolution transmission resource satellite. Since then, three CBERS-02 satellites have been launched in 2000, 2002 and 2004, which is of great significance to China's agriculture, agriculture and environment. In the ocean, China is establishing an independent series of marine satellites, and launched the first marine satellite-Haiyang I in 2002. As for the small satellite for earth observation, Beijing No.1 (Beijing-1) launched in 2005 is a small satellite for earth observation with two remote sensors, which can provide remote sensing images covering Beijing regularly, provide timely, reliable and high-quality services for Beijing's urban planning, ecological environment monitoring, major engineering monitoring and land use monitoring, and directly serve the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Table 1- 1 China Remote Sensing Satellite Series

In sensor research, China has successfully developed many types of sensors, such as multispectral camera, multispectral scanner, infrared scanner, microwave radiometer, laser altimeter, synthetic aperture side-looking radar, color synthesizer and density distributor, and digital image processing system. In terms of remote sensing theory research and personnel training, China Academy of Sciences, universities and other departments have successively set up remote sensing research and education institutions engaged in theoretical research and application, set up remote sensing majors and disciplines to train remote sensing technical personnel, and many majors have set up remote sensing courses. The State has established the Space Science and Technology Committee and the Remote Sensing Center to organize, lead and coordinate the national remote sensing work and actively carry out foreign technical and personnel exchanges.