What Surveying and Mapping Academy does

The Surveying and Mapping Academy, formally the Chinese Academy of Surveying and Mapping (中国测绘科学研究院, CASM), is a state-owned national public welfare research institute directly administered by the Ministry of Natural Resources of the People's Republic of China. Founded in 1959 and headquartered in Haidian District, Beijing, it operates as the largest multidisciplinary comprehensive research institution in China's surveying and mapping sector, with a '3+1+1' research layout anchored on geodetic reference frames, Real Scene 3D China construction, and natural resource survey monitoring. The Academy's technology stack spans GNSS/BDS navigation and positioning, satellite laser ranging, VLBI, superconducting gravimetry, InSAR deformation monitoring, satellite remote sensing, GIS, photogrammetry, gravity field modeling, and spatial big data analytics, supported by a network of dedicated facilities including the Fangshan Satellite Laser Ranging National Field Observation Research Station, the National Surveying and Mapping Geographic Information Metrology Station, and the Space Benchmark National Key Laboratory.

The Academy's core product portfolio includes self-developed software platforms such as GDEMSI V5.5 (InSAR processing adapted to NISAR and BIOMASS SAR satellites), PAGravf4.5 (high-precision gravity field approximation), ETideLoad 4.0 (CORS network monitoring), NewMap spatiotemporal big data platform, ACID remote sensing intelligent interpretation, indoor/outdoor collaborative positioning systems, the Indoor Location Service Cloud Platform (deployed at Beijing Winter Olympics venues), and the Real Scene 3D Technology Solution ReS3D. It also publishes four academic journals (《测绘科学》, 《遥感信息》, 《导航定位学报》, International Journal of Image and Data Fusion) and leads in formulating national and international surveying and mapping standards.

The Academy's revenue is derived primarily from central government budget allocation through the Ministry of Natural Resources, supplemented by project-based procurement from national and provincial natural resources departments, technology transfer and licensing via wholly-owned subsidiaries (Zhongce Xintu for UAV remote sensing and emergency monitoring, Beijing Siwei Yuanjian for surveying equipment, and Beijing Xiangda Property Management), journal subscription and publication fees, and consulting services. The Academy does not disclose pricing publicly. It serves a highly government-concentrated customer base across natural resources management, geological disaster prevention, national defense, meteorology, emergency management, higher education, and international organizations (UN-GGIM, UN-GGCE, FIG, IAG), with active talent cultivation programs hosting over 200 graduate students.

Name

Surveying and Mapping Academy

Legal name

中国测绘科学研究院

Website

https://casm.ac.cn

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Surveying and Mapping Academy (Chinese Academy of Surveying and Mapping) is a state-owned national research institute under China's Ministry of Natural Resources, founded in 1959 in Beijing, that develops geodetic reference systems, InSAR and remote sensing software, GIS platforms, and satellite navigation technology for government, defense, and natural resources management applications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Geospatial Research and Technology Services

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136), Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services (54137), Space Research and Technology (92711)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms (BPAMANAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Remote Sensing & Geospatial Vision (satellite/drone imagery) (HDAAAEAL), Remote Sensing & Earth Observation Analytics (Satellite/UAV/LiDAR, Image Processing) (EUAHAKAD)

Keywords

• Surveying technology
• Geographic information systems
• Satellite remote sensing
• Geodetic reference frames
• Spatial data analytics

Headquarters

HQ city

Haidian

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government-funded Research Projects: The academy receives central government funding through the Ministry of Natural Resources budget for public welfare research. The academy undertakes national key research programs,国家重点研发计划 projects, and natural resources management technical support work.
2. Technology Transfer and Achievement Transformation: The academy commercializes research achievements through technology licensing, software product sales, and consulting services. Controlled companies such as Zhongce Xintu (中测新图) and Beijing Siwei Yuanjian (北京四维远见) serve as commercialization vehicles for research outcomes.
3. Academic Publications: The academy publishes academic journals including '测绘科学' (Science of Surveying and Mapping), '遥感信息' (Remote Sensing Information), '导航定位学报' (Journal of Navigation and Positioning), and 'International Journal of Image and Data Fusion', generating revenue from journal subscriptions and publication fees.
4. Professional Services and Consulting: Technical services for natural resources departments including surveying, mapping, geological disaster monitoring, natural resource surveys, and standards development.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Surveying and Mapping Academy (Chinese Academy of Surveying and Mapping, 中国测绘科学研究院) is a national public welfare research institute under China's Ministry of Natural Resources that develops surveying, mapping, and geographic information technologies. It produces proprietary software platforms (GDEMSI for InSAR processing, NewMap spatial-temporal big data platform, ACID remote sensing intelligent interpretation, ReS3D real scene 3D technology), maintains national geodetic reference frames, conducts research in satellite remote sensing and GNSS positioning, publishes academic journals, trains graduate students, and provides professional technical services to government natural resources departments.

Product overview

中国测绘科学研究院是一个国家公益性科研院所，主要从事测绘地理信息科学研究和技术开发。研究院拥有多个核心产品体系：(1) GDEMSI软件和InSAR超算平台用于雷达卫星数据处理和地表形变监测；(2) NewMap时空大数据平台和ACID遥感影像智能解译系统用于地理信息分析；(3) 实景三维技术解决方案(ReS3D)用于三维场景建模；(4) 室内外协同定位系统和位置服务云平台用于定位服务；(5) 高精度地理信息安全服务体系用于数据安全保护。此外，研究院主办四本学术期刊：《测绘科学》《遥感信息》《导航定位学报》和International Journal of Image and Data Fusion。研究院还运营多个内部平台，包括地球物理大地测量大型科学计算平台和院人工智能平台。

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 空间基准全国重点实验室 (Space Benchmark National Key Laboratory): National key laboratory focusing on geodetic reference frames and spatial benchmarks
• 国家测绘地理信息计量站 (National Surveying and Mapping Geospatial Information Metrology Station)
• 北京房山人卫激光国家野外科学观测研究站 (Beijing Fangshan Satellite Laser Ranging National Field Scientific Observation Research Station)

Products and services

• GDEMSI Software (InSAR Deformation Monitoring System)
• NewMap Spatial-Temporal Big Data Platform
• ACID Remote Sensing Image Intelligent Interpretation System
• Indoor/Outdoor Collaborative Positioning Software
• High-precision Geographic Information Security Service System
• Real Scene 3D Technology Solution (ReS3D)

Quantifiable outcome

• GDEMSI software processes NISAR SLC imagery to differential interferogram in 85 minutes and BIOMASS imagery in 7 minutes.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Beihang University (北京航空航天大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2026Jointly established 'Earth Reference Frame Multi-technology Comprehensive Center' with the Space Geodesy National Key Laboratory, signing cooperation agreement for joint innovation center.
• Shandong University (山东大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2026Jointly established 'Multi-GNSS Reference Frame Comprehensive Center' with the Space Geodesy National Key Laboratory, signing cooperation agreement for joint innovation center.
• China University of Mining and Technology (中国矿业大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2026Jointly established 'Deep Earth Spatial Reference Research Center' with the Space Geodesy National Key Laboratory, signing cooperation agreement for joint innovation center.
• UN-GGIM Geodesy Sub-committeecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 March 2026CASM chief researcher Dang Yamin attended the 6th UN-GGIM Geodesy Sub-committee Plenary Session and the 4th UN-GGCE International Advisory Committee meeting in Bonn, Germany, as a committee member.
• Hohai University (河海大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2025CASM donated remote sensing recognition software to Hohai University's Hydrology Talent Station, supporting AI hydrology remote sensing and watershed digital simulation training, with CASM Director Yan Qin attending the ceremony.
• Jiangsu Oriental Zhidao Technology Co., Ltd. (江苏东方至远科技股份有限公司)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2025A national specialized 'small giant' enterprise specializing in remote sensing and spatiotemporal big data, co-donated 1.5 million yuan to Hohai University's Hydrology Talent Station with CASM.
• China Academy of Water Resources and Hydropower (中国水科院)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2025CASM Director Yan Qin visited China Academy of Water Resources and Hydropower to discuss cooperation in water resources management and remote sensing technology applications.
• China University of Geosciences, Wuhan (中国地质大学（武汉）)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2024Strategic cooperation agreement signed in Wuhan for cooperation in high-level talent cultivation, scientific and technological innovation, joint research platforms, and achievement transformation. CASM Director Yan Qin and CUG(W) President Li Jianwei attended the signing ceremony.
• Deqing County Government (德清县人民政府)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 October 2024Together with Tanzania's Ardhi University, jointly established the China-Tanzania Geographic Information Technology Exchange Center, co-built at the first UN Geographic Information Week.
• Tanzania Ardhi University (坦桑尼亚ARDHI大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 October 2024Co-established China-Tanzania Geographic Information Technology Exchange Center with Deqing County Government, marking the beginning of China-Africa international scientific and technological cooperation.
• UN Global Geospatial Information Knowledge and Innovation CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 October 2024The academy's Space Geodesy National Key Laboratory co-organized the Digital Twin and Smart City Forum at UN Geographic Information Week and released the Australia-China international cooperation achievement 'Real Scene 3D Technology Solution ReS3D V1.0'.
• Australian Research Partners (澳大利亚研究合作伙伴)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 October 2024Australia-China joint technology cooperation on real scene 3D technology, producing 'Real Scene 3D Technology Solution ReS3D V1.0' jointly developed and donated to the UN Global Geospatial Information Knowledge and Innovation Center.
• International Federation of Surveyors (FIG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2024CASM Director Yan Qin was elected FIG Vice President (2025-2028). The academy actively participates in FIG activities, presenting Chinese surveying technology internationally through FIG forums and conferences.
• China University of Geosciences, Beijing (中国地质大学（北京）)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 January 2022Strategic cooperation agreement signed for joint talent cultivation, scientific research collaboration, and platform co-construction. CUG Beijing President Sun Youhong and CASM Director Yan Qin attended.
• China Surveying and Mapping Society (中国测绘学会)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 June 2021The academy's Geodesy and Navigation Professional Committee is affiliated with China Surveying and Mapping Society. Three of CASM's branches organized sub-forums at major conferences.
• Shanghai Huace Navigation Technology Co., Ltd. (上海华测导航技术股份有限公司)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 June 2021Joint sponsor of the CASM graduate scholarship program, contributing to talent cultivation with 330,000 yuan in scholarships awarded to graduate students in 2021.
• Heilongjiang Bureau of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation (黑龙江测绘地理信息局)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2021CASM and Heilongjiang Bureau discussed cooperation in natural resource management and new surveying technologies, building on existing collaboration in InSAR monitoring and remote sensing.
• Liangxi District Government, Wuxi City (无锡市梁溪区)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2021Siwei Yuanjian, CASM's investment company, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Liangxi Urban Investment Development Group to promote CASM's technology achievements in the district.
• National Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Engineering (地理信息工程国家重点实验室)coreTechnology or Integration · 5 June 2021Academic exchange and cooperation between the State Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Engineering and CASM's Key Laboratory of Surveying and Geospatial Information Technology, with academician Yang Yuanxi participating.
• Jiangsu Ocean University (江苏海洋大学)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2021CASM's Geospatial Big Data Application Research Center conducted joint graduate thesis defenses with Jiangsu Ocean University, having jointly trained more than 10 graduate students since 2017.
• Xihua University (西华大学)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2021Discussion on cooperation in surveying technology for emergency management, joint research on emergency platforms, and technology applications in emergency management for Sichuan Province.
• North China Institute of Science and Technology (华北科技学院)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2021Discussion on cooperation in surveying technology for emergency management, joint research on emergency platforms, and graduate student joint training between the two institutions.
• State Council General Office (国办)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 13 January 2021CASM's Government Geographic Information System Research Center actively supported State Council E-government services, particularly in government internal network data sharing and exchange platform construction.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Information Engineering University (PLA Strategic Support Force): Military university with a leading surveying, mapping, and geospatial information program serving national defense mapping, GNSS, and remote sensing needs. Comparable in technical depth and mission-critical applications, with parallel investments in BeiDou, gravity field modeling, and remote sensing interpretation.
• Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences: CAS institute focused on aerospace information and remote sensing research, operating parallel SAR/remote sensing programs, BeiDou applications, and spatial information platforms. Closest peer in the Chinese public research ecosystem for satellite remote sensing, InSAR, and national geospatial infrastructure R&D, with comparable government-customer dynamics.
• National Geomatics Center of China: Sister institution under the Ministry of Natural Resources responsible for national fundamental geographic information data and surveying infrastructure. Directly comparable as a peer government technical authority in China's surveying and mapping system, addressing overlapping mandates in national geodetic reference, basic geographic databases, and emergency mapping support.
• China University of Mining and Technology: CASM partner via joint Deep Earth Spatial Reference Research Center; major Chinese surveying and mapping research and graduate training institution. Comparable in graduate student pipeline, research output, and government-funded program participation in geodetic reference and resource survey applications.
• Wuhan University - LIESMARS: State Key Laboratory of Information Engineering in Surveying, Mapping and Remote Sensing (LIESMARS) at Wuhan University is China's leading academic research hub in surveying, mapping, and remote sensing. Comparable in research scope (GNSS, remote sensing, GIS), talent depth, and graduate training, with overlapping government and academic customer base including the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Emerging players

• Beijing UniStrong Science & Technology: Major Chinese listed BeiDou/GNSS and surveying/mapping technology company with significant overlap in high-precision positioning, GIS, and indoor/outdoor positioning. Comparable in product category but commercially oriented versus CASM's research/standards focus.
• Shanghai Huace Navigation Technology (CHC Navigation): Leading Chinese commercial GNSS/surveying equipment manufacturer and CASM graduate scholarship sponsor. Comparable in surveying positioning technology commercialization (especially BeiDou/GNSS high-precision receivers), but operating from a private-sector commercial model versus CASM's public welfare mandate.

Broad incumbents

• Trimble Inc. Global leader in surveying, geospatial, and construction technology with broad portfolio across GNSS, mapping, GIS, and remote sensing. Comparable in core surveying/mapping technology domain but operates as a large commercial incumbent with much wider market reach and product breadth than CASM's research-institute focus.
• Hexagon AB (Leica Geosystems): Global surveying and geospatial technology incumbent through Leica Geosystems, with comparable offerings in GNSS, laser scanning, GIS, and remote sensing. Comparable in technology domain but as a multi-billion-dollar commercial multinational versus CASM's national public research mandate.

Regional players

• China Geological Survey: National geological survey agency under Ministry of Natural Resources that consumes surveying, mapping, and remote sensing outputs from CASM. Comparable as a government-led scientific organization, overlapping on geological hazard monitoring, mineral resource assessment, and InSAR/geophysical applications in the China market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Surveying and Mapping Academy