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Satellite Analysis Uncovers Global Threats to World Heritage SitesA joint research team led by the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (AIRCAS) has conducted the first global, integrated assessment of disaster risks and human pressures affecting UNESCO World Heritage sites. The study found that 41% of these sites worldwide are exposed to significant natural hazards. Furthermore, it provides a systematic evaluation of global progress toward UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11.4, which aims to strengthen the protection of cultural and natural heritage.
09 Feb 2026 -
High-Resolution Daily CO₂ Dataset Illuminates Spatiotemporal Dynamics in ChinaResearchers from the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (AIRCAS), in collaboration with Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, have developed a high-resolution, daily atmospheric CO₂ dataset for China spanning 2016–2020. The dataset provides unprecedented insights into the spatiotemporal variations of column-averaged dry-air CO₂ mole fraction (XCO₂) and offers a robust data foundation for refined carbon monitoring and management.
09 Feb 2026 -
China Hits 120 Gbps in Satellite-to-ground Laser CommunicationsThe Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has successfully conducted a business-oriented application experiment in satellite-to-ground laser communications with data rates exceeding 100 Gbps, achieving a peak transmission speed of 120 Gbps.
30 Jan 2026 -
AI Sharpens Satellite Eyes on Air PollutionA new artificial intelligence–based approach is enabling more accurate and efficient monitoring of air pollution from space. By combining deep learning with physical radiative transfer modeling, researchers have developed a method that significantly improves the retrieval of atmospheric aerosol properties from complex satellite observations, supporting high-resolution, near-real-time monitoring of haze and dust events.
27 Jan 2026 -
Earth Observation Reveals Spatial Patterns of Farmland Shelterbelts in Three-North Region of ChinaAs a core component of the Three-North Shelter Forest Program in China's Three-North Region (TNR), farmland shelterbelts (FSs), also known as windbreaks, play a crucial role in reducing wind erosion and preventing soil degradation. However, the large-scale spatial patterns of FSs have remain poorly understood, limiting efforts to upgrade and optimize these systems.
23 Jan 2026 -
Satellite-based Study Unveils Rapid Groundwater Depletion in High Mountain Asia, Threatening Water SecurityA recent satellite-based study published in Environmental Research Letters has revealed alarming declines in groundwater storage across High Mountain Asia (HMA), often called the "Asian Water Tower". This vital water source, which underpins agricultural irrigation, urban water supply, and ecological security for hundreds of millions of people in more than a dozen downstream countries, is depleting at an alarming rate of approximately 24.2 billion tonnes per year.
23 Jan 2026