On December 16, 2025, China successfully launched the Ziyuan III 04 satellite, a significant addition to its series of advanced observation technologies aimed at enhancing resource monitoring.

The satellite was launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi Province aboard a Long March-4B rocket, taking off at 11:17 a.m. Beijing Time.

The Ziyuan III 04 satellite, developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, is set to work in conjunction with its counterparts, the Ziyuan III 02 and 03 satellites, forming a comprehensive satellite constellation dedicated to observational initiatives.

This new satellite is equipped with a range of sophisticated payloads, including a stereoscopic mapping camera, a multispectral camera, and a laser altimeter, all designed to deliver high-resolution three-dimensional imagery.

The geometric data produced by the Ziyuan III 04 will play a crucial role in various applications, such as the development of geographic information resources, natural resource surveys, land spatial planning, and enhancing oversight and law enforcement in resource management.

With this latest launch, the Long March carrier rocket series has now completed its 617th flight mission, showcasing the continued advancements in China's space capabilities.