High-res mapping satellite on-stream by April

Beijing (CNS) -- The ZY-3, or Ziyuan 3 high resolution (HR) cartographic satellite will be officially on stream by April, provided that it passes the current in-orbit test phase, revealed the National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation (NASMP) on Thursday.

The satellite, launched on January 9, has provided the content of "Map World (http://www.tianditu.cn)," a public service platform of NASMP, with HR photos of more than 100 global views, from the northeastern and north parts to the Yangtze River Delta of China, as well as some parts of the U.S., Iran, and Australia.

The China's first HR 3D cartographic satellite is expected to serve the public for five years, prioritized for the observation and monitoring purposes of the bureau, but serving natural disaster precautions, agricultural, forest, and water facilities, ecological improvements, urban planning and construction, nationwide transportation and strategic state projects.