Science
TIANHUI 1-04
Chinese Military Stereo Mapping Satellite · CAST / PLA Navigation and Survey Bureau
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The fourth satellite in China's Tianhui-1 ('Sky Drawing') stereo-topographic mapping series, launched July 2021 from Jiuquan aboard a Long March 2D. Operated by the PLA's Navigation and Survey Bureau, Tianhui-1 satellites carry a three-line array panchromatic camera producing 5-meter resolution stereo imagery used to generate precise 3D terrain models of China and surrounding regions — digital elevation data essential for everything from artillery targeting calculations to civilian infrastructure planning. By 2021, the Tianhui-1 program had been building China's independent topographic dataset for a full decade.
Its orbit
- Orbit
- Low Earth Orbitcan appear as a fast-moving star at dawn or dusk
- Altitude
- 310–311 mi (498–501 km)
- Inclination
- 97.3°
- One orbit
- 94.5 minutes15.2 orbits a day
- NORAD ID
- 49049
- Int’l designator
- 2021-067A
- Launched
- 2021
Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 22 Sep 2026.
More science
- TIANHUI 2-01AChinese Military SAR/Optical Stereo Mapping (Paired)
- TIANHUI 2-01BChinese Military SAR/Optical Stereo Mapping (Paired)
- TIANHUI 2-02AChinese Military SAR/Optical Stereo Mapping (Paired)
- TIANHUI 2-02BChinese Military SAR/Optical Stereo Mapping (Paired)
- TIANHUI 4AChinese Military Stereo Mapping Satellite
- TIANHUI 4BChinese Military Earth Observation (Unconfirmed Mission)