Scientists have used a tethered balloon to measure cloud droplets, aerosols, and electric fields over the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, revealing links between aerosol abundance and droplet properties and documenting weak electrical activity in clouds without lightning. The study was published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences​ .

A tethered balloon capable of lifting two tonnes successfully completed a trial in Xizang on September 21, carrying two tonnes of transmission tower materials to a steep ridge at an altitude of 4,000 meters. The trial demonstrated a new way to transport heavy construction materials to remote mountain sites while reducing the need for access roads.

Ten frontier scientific challenges expected to shape future research and technological development in remote sensing were unveiled on Aug. 28 at the opening ceremony of the Second National Conference on Remote Sensing Geography in Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.