BackForward Satellite Programme: PIESAT also known as Hongtu 

Programme details
Programme description
  • A commercial activity of X-band interferometric SARs (InSAR).
  • Initially a 4 satellite constellation has been launched.
  • They orbit in a hub and spoke configuration. 
  • PIESAT-1 A01 is the main satellite with PIESAT-1 B01-B03 as 3 auxiliary satellites.
  • The constellation is in a sun-synchronous orbit.
  • The plan is to launch more SAR constellations (with 28 satellites planned) and also optical satellites.
  • The satellites map global non-polar regions (latitudes < 82.5).
  • Some more information here
Data circulation
  • Data commercially available from PIESAT 
Agencies CASC
Programme lifetime 2023 - 2033
Associated satellites and instruments

Note: red tag => no longer operational , green tag => operational , blue tag => planned