26th October 2025, Kathmandu
China’s space program marked a major milestone on Sunday with the successful launch of the Gaofen-14 02 satellite from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province.
China Gaofen-14 02 Satellite
This mission significantly enhances China’s capability in high-precision stereo imagery and geographic mapping on a global scale.
The launch took place at 11:55 AM Beijing Time, utilizing the powerful Long March-3B carrier rocket. China’s space agency confirmed that the new Earth observation satellite successfully entered its predetermined orbit, marking the 603rd flight in the Long March rocket series.
High-Precision Stereo Imagery Capabilities
The Gaofen-14 02 satellite is designed to collect high-resolution, three-dimensional (3D) stereo images across the globe.
This data is critical for producing detailed, large-scale digital topographic maps, digital elevation models (DEMs), and digital surface models (DSMs).
The satellite’s advanced capabilities will support several key national objectives:
Economic Development: Providing accurate geospatial data necessary for large-scale infrastructure projects and resource management.
Geographic Information Support: Gathering fundamental mapping information to update and improve the country’s geographic database.
National Security & Infrastructure: Assisting in the construction and planning of strategic national defense infrastructure.
The Long March Legacy Continues
The successful flight of the Long March-3B rocket underscores the reliability and maturity of China’s domestic launch vehicle technology.
As the 603rd mission in the Long March series, it highlights the continuous, rapid advancement of the nation’s space program.
The deployment of the Gaofen-14 02 satellite is a strategic step forward in China’s ongoing efforts to build a comprehensive, high-definition Earth observation system, securing crucial mapping and surveillance capabilities for both civilian and national defense applications.
For more: China Gaofen-14 02 Satellite