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Chinese remote-sensing satellite operator Chang Guang Satellite (长光卫星) has announced that its Jilin-1 (吉林一号) constellation now provides satellite imagery data to more than 170 countries and regions worldwide. The company describes this as a significant milestone in the international marketing of China’s commercial Earth observation infrastructure.
Jilin-1 is China’s largest commercial remote-sensing constellation, operated by Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co., Ltd. based in Changchun, Jilin Province. The network consists of dozens of optical and radar satellites in sun-synchronous and low-Earth orbits, delivering high-resolution imagery for applications in agriculture, forestry, urban planning, disaster relief, and environmental monitoring. In recent years, Chang Guang has significantly increased its launch cadence, regularly deploying multiple satellites per mission — often as secondary payloads aboard both state-owned and commercial launch vehicles.
This international expansion is part of a broader push by Chinese commercial space companies to market their Earth observation data beyond China. While programs such as the EU Copernicus program or private U.S. providers like Planet Labs dominate the global market, Jilin-1 is increasingly positioning itself as a Chinese alternative for developing countries and emerging markets seeking cost-effective access to satellite data.
Chang Guang Satellite completed another batch launch in June 2026, further increasing the number of active Jilin-1 satellites. The exact number of currently operational satellites in the constellation is not regularly updated by the company; recent Chinese state media reports have cited a figure of over 100 satellites in orbit.