JianBing-3 (ZiYuan-2) Imagery Reconnaissance Satellite

Last updated: 19 May 2007

JianBing-3 (JB-3) developed by China Academy of Space technology (CAST) is China's first high-resolution CCD imagery reconnaissance satellite. Despite being reported by the Chinese official media as the ZiYuan-2 (ZiYuan = “Resource”) remote sensing satellite designed for civilian roles such as territorial and resources surveying, the satellite is in fact operated by the PLA for military imagery reconnaissance purpose. Equipped with CCD cameras and an infrared multi-spectral scanner, the ZY-2/JB-3 satellite is capable of generating high-quality (<2m resolution) satellite images and transferring them to the ground in real-time.

On 1 September 2000, Chinese media widely reported that China has successfully launched the ZiYuan-2 Earth resource remote sensing satellite from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre using a CZ-4B launch vehicle. The Chinese reports confirmed that that the satellite would be used for territorial surveying, environment monitoring, city planning, crop yield assessment, disaster monitoring, and space science experimentation.

However, as Western intelligence suggested the satellite was in fact China’s first high-resolution military imagery reconnaissance satellite known as JianBing-3 (JB-3) in its military designation. This appeared to have been backed by several other sources. The ZY-2/JB-3 could provide high-quality, real-time satellite images to help the PLA locate enemy forces and other ‘targets of interest’ accurately. However, Chinese scientists denied this implication to the press, saying that the ZY-2 has a resolution of only 60~100 metres and cannot be used for military purpose.

In September 2002, Chinese media reported that the first ZY-2 satellite launched in September 2000 was still operating despite reaching its orbital lifetime of two years. In October 2002, a second ZY-2 satellite with some modifications was sent into orbit, followed by the third ZY-2 satellite in November 2004. By then, ZY-2 No.1 was still operating according to Chinese reports. The three satellites were positioned with equal distance in the sun-synchronous orbit, providing a full global coverage at all time.

No detailed information on the ZY-2/JB-3 technical specification was released to the public, but the a Chinese newspaper reported that the digital imaging systems onboard the ZY-2 has a higher resolution compared to those on the ZY-1 (CBERS) launched in 1999. The sun-synchronous ZY-2 is China’s largest and heaviest indigenous satellite, and its 3-axis stabilisation technology is the most advanced in China.

JB-3 No.3 imagery reconnaissance satellite launched by a CZ-4B launch vehicle from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre on 6 November 2004

Launch Records