A commercial satellite enterprise announced recently that it has established a three-dimensional mapping satellite constellation comprised of 19 satellites, the largest of its kind, and released a series of high-precision 3D data products based on the constellation.

Changchun, Jilin province-based Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co Ltd (CGSTL) said that the constellation consists of a new generation of high-resolution optical remote-sensing satellites capable of high-precision stereo mapping.

It supports various stereo imaging acquisition modes, including single-satellite along-track stereo, dual-satellite formation stereo, and multi-satellite multi-angle stereo.

The dual-satellite formation can image a single strip up to 1,600 kilometers in length, with a single stereo imaging coverage area exceeding 20,000 square kilometers.

Swath width is the width of the strip of Earth's surface a satellite sensor images in a single pass.

The commercial space industry is currently entering a fast track of large-scale development, with the number of in-orbit satellites continuing to grow and application scenarios constantly expanding, said Hu Yan, board secretary of the company.

Hu said that as a key application direction of satellite remote sensing, 3D stereo mapping plays an increasingly critical foundational role in areas such as natural resource surveying, urban planning and construction, disaster assessment and management, and infrastructure monitoring.

To further enhance its stere-omapping service capabilities, CGSTL has addressed long-standing industry pain points, including long data acquisition cycles, insufficient resolution and scarcity of multi-angle data sources.

The company has successively overcome key technologies such as onboard integrated intelligent imaging, multi-satellite formation coordinated stereo observation, and automated multi-angle stereo model production.

She said that by leveraging large-scale constellation collaborative scheduling, CGSTL has achieved significant advances in stereo imaging: transitioning from "single-pass stereo acquisition" to "multi-satellite collaborative multi-angle observation", from "part mapping" to "large-area stereo coverage", and from "periodic updating" to "high-frequency dynamic reconstruction".

Based on the constellation's powerful stereo data acquisition capabilities, the company has developed a three-dimensional product matrix encompassing both basic and advanced products, with accuracy reaching internationally advanced levels, said Hu.

At the basic product level, in addition to providing dual and triple-stereo image pairs through single-satellite maneuvering, the company can also acquire five-view stereo image pairs via multisatellite collaboration.

This multi-angle observation effectively compensates for occlusions and blind spots in building facades, complex roof structures and steep terrains, significantly improving the texture completeness, geometric reliability and detail expression of 3D models, said Hu.

At the advanced product level, the company can efficiently produce high-precision digital surface models, high-precision digital elevation models, 3D white models and 3D reality models.

Relying on its self-developed high-precision stereo data production engine, CGSTL has substantially improved both the production efficiency and response speed of advanced products while maintaining product accuracy.

Hu said that the product matrix can be widely applied in fields such as natural resource surveys and management, mapping, planning and engineering surveys, water conservancy and environmental protection, energy infrastructure monitoring, emergency disaster assessments and digital city construction.

In special scenarios where drone flights are prohibited or data acquisition is restricted, it can serve as a reliable alternative data source, offering dependable support for related operations.

The company has established a mature full-chain system covering satellite design and manufacturing, in-orbit operation and control, and data application.

Changchun is striving to become a significant source of global photonic technology innovation and a key supplier of high-end photonic products.

The recent development of Changchun-based CGSTL marks a major milestone breakthrough in the field of satellite technology and applications in China.

At a promotion meeting for the "China Optoelectronics City" project held in Changchun on Sept 4, the city announced that it will support leading chain‑enterprises such as CGSTL to become bigger and stronger, while driving the coordinated growth of a large number of supporting small and medium‑sized enterprises.

The meeting also stressed that Changchun will concentrate its efforts on advancing six major sectors, including semiconductors and high‑end manufacturing, and satellite technology and applications, with the goal of expanding the city's optoelectronics industry to 160 billion yuan ($23.86 billion) by the end of the 15th Five‑Year Plan period (2026–2030).

Contact the writers at liumingtai@chinadaily.com.cn