China’s Gaofen 05B commercial satellite is ‘pushing the limits’ of hi-res imaging
Orbiter will also provide high-speed satellite-to-ground data transmission and feature electric propulsion, developer says
The Jilin-1 Gaofen 05B satellite, which was launched on Monday aboard a Lijian-1 carrier rocket, is designed to be a technology demonstration satellite, according to its developer, Chang Guang Satellite Technology.
Weighing about 200kg (440 pounds), the satellite can capture remote sensing images with a resolution of up to 20cm (7.9 inches) and a field of view of more than 13.5km (8.4 miles), according to company chairman and general manager Xuan Ming.
That resolution outperformed the international standard of 30cm for commercial remote sensing satellites, Xuan said at the Commercial Space Development Forum, an event held under the 2024 Zhuhai Forum on the same day.
But because Chinese regulations limit the resolution of commercial optical remote sensing satellites to 50cm, the company’s website only claims the resolution of the Gaofen 05B is “better than 50cm”.
However, the websites of numerous international satellite service providers – including China’s Jilin-1 Gaofen 04, state that images with a resolution of 30cm can be bought for specific coordinates.
