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Multi-Source Earth Observation Enables City-Level Assessment of Urban Sustainability Across Belt and Road Region
A recent study published in the International Journal of Digital Earth presents a first city-level assessment of urban sustainability trends across more than 7,000 urban centers in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) region. Utilizing multi-temporal Earth observation (EO) data, the research evaluates two SDG 11 indicators—Land Use Efficiency (LUE, SDG 11.3.1) and population-weighted PM₂.₅ concentrations (PPM₂.₅, SDG 11.6.2)—from 2000 to 2020, providing a spatiotemporal analysis of sustainability of urban spatial expansion and environmental exposure.
Jul 30, 2025
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High-Resolution Satellite Remote Sensing Reveals Underestimated Methane Emissions from Global Landfills
A research team led by Dr. CHENG Tianhai at the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has made significant progress in monitoring methane emissions from landfills. By leveraging high-resolution satellite remote sensing, the team developed a method for accurately quantifying methane emissions from landfills. This method was applied to conduct a comprehensive global assessment of landfill emissions. The findings were published in Nature Climate Change on July 28, 2025.
Jul 28, 2025
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Chinese Researchers Revolutionize Satellite Data Processing with New 4D Format and MARS Software
Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) have unveiled a groundbreaking Multi-Dimensional Data (MDD) format and MARS software that unifies time, space, and spectral dimensions of satellite data for the first time. Published in The Innovation and led by Professor ZHANG Lifu, this innovation processes Earth observation data 482% faster than industry-standard ENVI software while using 97% less storage—solving decades of fragmentation in environmental monitoring.
Jul 18, 2025
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Chinese Scientists Develop Tiny Sensor That Redefines Vacuum Pressure Measurement
A research team from the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has unveiled a revolutionary microsensor that dramatically improves the accuracy and range of vacuum pressure measurement—key to applications in semiconductor manufacturing, space missions, and high-precision engineering.
Jul 13, 2025
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Satellite-Based Method Dramatically Improves Accuracy of Coal-fired Power Plant CO₂ Emissions Estimates
A study published in Environmental Science & Technology introduces a satellite-based method that significantly improves the accuracy of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission estimates from coal-fired power plants. Developed by researchers at the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the approach enhances our ability to track greenhouse gas emissions in near real-time—crucial for global efforts to combat climate change and achieve national climate goals.
Jul 11, 2025
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