China releases first nationwide geometric reference imagery dataset

(ECNS) – China has released its first national-level geometric reference remote sensing imagery dataset, covering the country’s entire land territory, according to the Land Satellite Remote Sensing Application Center under the Ministry of Natural Resources. 

The new dataset has an overall spatial resolution of 0.5 meters and has more than doubled the positioning accuracy of remote sensing imagery nationwide.

It also overcomes longstanding technical challenges in mountainous, high-altitude and uninhabited areas, addressing the poor geometric precision that previously affected orthophoto imagery in western China. 

The geometric reference imagery serves as a standardized base-map template for satellite remote sensing data.

By ensuring satellite images from different enterprises and government departments align perfectly, the dataset establishes a unified national background map.

It will significantly reduce production costs for high-resolution remote sensing data, improve operational efficiency, and the ministry will also promote its wider application and dynamic updating.

(By Helen Mo & intern Lin Qiaochu)