aerospace information research institute

What aerospace information research institute does

Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIRCAS) is a state-owned research institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, established in July 2018 through the consolidation of three CAS institutes (including the former Institute of Electronics, IECAS, and the Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, RADI). It operates as China's principal aerospace information research body, focused on satellite remote sensing, big Earth data analytics, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and microwave sensing, terahertz technology, lunar and planetary exploration payloads, and space-based Earth observation. The institute serves international governments, national space and statistics agencies, UN bodies, and research institutions, with active partnerships across more than 90 countries and 26+ members of its flagship Digital Belt and Road Program (DBAR).

AIRCAS's core technology stack comprises the China Remote Sensing Satellite Ground Station (RSGS) network — operating at Miyun, Kashgar, and Mohe with stations designed for China's domestic and international Earth observation satellites — and the CASEarth Data platform hosting approximately 5 million gigabytes of Earth science, biology, ecology, atmospheric, and ocean data. Layered on this infrastructure are domain-specialized monitoring systems: CropWatch (satellite-based agricultural monitoring deployed across 11+ African and Asian countries), DroughtWatch (deployed in Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, Sri Lanka), ETWatch (evapotranspiration), and an integrated Flood Warning Platform. The institute has also produced novel hardware including Chang'e-4 lunar penetrating radar and very low frequency radio spectrometer payloads (enabling China's first far-side moon radio observation), the tethered balloon Jimu-1 (record 6,200m altitude in Tibet), China's first helicopter-borne electromagnetic detection system, and the NeuroDepth brain-computer interface for neurosurgical tumor localization.

The institute's revenue model is government-and-academic-led, deriving primary funding from Chinese state research programs via CAS, with no public commercial revenue disclosure. International activity is monetized through bilateral MoUs, hosted international platforms (CBAS, International Society for Digital Earth, UNESCO HIST), joint laboratories (e.g., University of Macau), international training workshops (over 1,000 students trained from 50+ Belt and Road countries since 2017), and data platform access (CASEarth, ChinaGEO). Distribution occurs via direct institutional engagement, multilateral initiatives such as DBAR and the CAS-TWAS Centers of Excellence, and peer-reviewed journals including the International Journal of Digital Earth (IF 3.985) and Microsystems & Nanoengineering (IF 5.616). The firmographic headcount figure of 5 in the source data is internally inconsistent with the disclosed operating footprint and likely understates true workforce.

Name

aerospace information research institute

Legal name

Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Website

https://english.aircas.ac.cn

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIRCAS) is a Chinese Academy of Sciences government research institute operating China's remote sensing satellite ground stations, the CASEarth big Earth data platform, and domain monitoring systems (CropWatch, DroughtWatch, ETWatch) serving governments, research institutions, and UN agencies across 90+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerospace Research and Satellite Earth Observation Services

NAICS

Space Research and Technology (927), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Remote Sensing & Geospatial MRV (Satellite, Aerial, LiDAR, SAR) (EUABACAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

GHG Monitoring Plans & Sampling Design (Field Protocols, QA/QC) (EUABACAE)

Keywords

• Satellite remote sensing
• Earth observation data
• Aerospace information research
• Big Earth data analytics
• Space technology development

Headquarters

HQ city

Beijing

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Research Funding: AIRCAS is a research institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and receives government funding for research programs, big science infrastructure projects, and national space missions.
2. International Training Programs: Conducts international training workshops on BeiDou technologies, remote sensing, SDG monitoring, and drought information systems for international participants from Belt and Road and Global South countries.
3. Data Services: Provides satellite data services and access to CASEarth Data and ChinaGEO platforms for government agencies, research institutions, and international organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AIRCAS is a CAS government research institute that conducts scientific research in aerospace information science, satellite remote sensing, big Earth data analytics, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), terahertz technology, and space-based Earth observation. It operates national big science infrastructure including the China Remote Sensing Satellite Ground Station (RSGS) network and the CASEarth Data platform, develops specialized monitoring systems (CropWatch, DroughtWatch, ETWatch, Flood Warning Platform), publishes international peer-reviewed journals, and delivers training and capacity building programs to international partners across Belt and Road and Global South countries.

Product overview

The Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIRCAS/AIR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences operates as a comprehensive research institute with a multi-platform portfolio of satellite data services and monitoring systems. The core infrastructure includes the China Remote Sensing Satellite Ground Station (RSGS) for satellite data reception and the CASEarth Data/Big Earth Data platform for data sharing. These are supported by specialized monitoring systems including CropWatch (agricultural monitoring), ETWatch (evapotranspiration), and DroughtWatch (drought early warning). The institute also publishes several international journals including the International Journal of Digital Earth, Microsystems & Nanoengineering, and Journal of Satellite Navigation. The institute maintains international data services through ChinaGEO and has developed specialized products like the NeuroDepth brain-computer interface and lunar payloads for space exploration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CropWatch: Satellite-based crop monitoring system developed by AIRCAS for agricultural monitoring globally
• CASEarth
• CBAS

Products and services

• China Remote Sensing Satellite Ground Station (RSGS) National big science infrastructure for receiving, tracking, and downlink of satellite data from Chinese and international Earth observation satellites. Serves research institutions, government agencies, and international organizations.
• CASEarth Data Big Earth Data science engineering platform providing access to approximately 5 million gigabytes of Earth science data including remote sensing, biological, atmospheric, and ocean data. Updates 3 million gigabytes of data annually. Used by researchers, governments, and international organizations worldwide.
• ChinaGEO National data platform for Earth observation and geospatial information sharing as part of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) initiative, serving researchers, governments, and international organizations.
• CropWatch Satellite-based agricultural monitoring cloud platform providing crop monitoring, yield estimation, and agricultural resilience tools for agricultural ministries and departments in developing countries. Used globally for food security and agricultural policy support.
• DroughtWatch Drought monitoring and early warning system deployed in Central Asian and Southeast Asian countries including Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka for drought early warning and disaster risk reduction.
• ETWatch Evapotranspiration monitoring system for agricultural water use assessment, used in crop monitoring and water resource management in agricultural regions.
• Flood Warning Platform Integrated flood warning platform providing satellite data services and disaster coordination tools to support emergency response during flooding situations.
• NeuroDepth Brain-computer interface device for precise tumor localization and boundary detection during neurosurgery, capable of recording signals from cortex to deep brain regions and monitoring neurotransmitters.
• International Journal of Digital Earth Peer-reviewed journal edited by CAS Academician Guo Huadong and published by Taylor & Francis, focusing on Digital Earth theories, technologies, and applications. Impact Factor 3.985, ranked tenth among geographic journals worldwide.
• Microsystems & Nanoengineering International open-access journal published by AIRCAS in cooperation with Springer Nature, covering microsystems and nanoengineering topics. Impact Factor 5.616 (2018).
• Journal of Satellite Navigation International satellite navigation journal co-sponsored by AIRCAS and Springer Nature, China's first international satellite navigation journal, launched in January 2020.

Quantifiable outcome

• Trained over 1,000 students from 50+ Belt and Road countries in BeiDou technologies
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 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 capability8 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2025AIRCAS and UNOSAT signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Beijing on March 26, 2025, to strengthen joint efforts in leveraging aerospace technologies to bolster disaster resilience, advance sustainable development goals, and foster international scientific cooperation. UNOSAT uses geospatial information and satellite technology for humanitarian relief and disaster risk reduction.
• Udayana University (Indonesia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 February 2025AIRCAS and Indonesia's Udayana University signed an MoU on February 28, 2025, marking a significant milestone in collaboration on aerospace and environmental research.
• University of Helsinki / Arctic Science Cooperation Forum (AASCO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2025AIRCAS participated in the Fourth Arctic Science Cooperation Forum in Monaco, bringing together over 80 experts from nearly 20 countries to address Arctic climate challenges.
• European Union (EU)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2025AIRCAS hosted the launch and review meeting for the China-EU flagship research project 'Integrated Monitoring for Climate Action and Biodiversity Conservation Using Earth Observation' in Beijing. The project aims to build a transnational observation network combining satellite, aerial, and ground-based monitoring systems.
• Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2024AIRCAS co-organized a specialized training course on Remote Sensing Information Processing and Urban Applications with APSCO in Wenchang, Hainan. Expert lecturers from AIR, Beihang University, Central South University, Peking University, University of Macau, and PIESAT. Sessions broadcast live with 146,000 online participants.
• University of MacaucoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 January 2020Joint Laboratory of Aerospace Information established on January 9, 2020, between AIRCAS and University of Macau for collaborative aerospace information research.
• CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence on Space Technology for Disaster MitigationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 July 2013One of five CAS-TWAS centers of excellence established in 2013 to promote substantial cooperation among developing countries, focusing on fundamental theories and key space technologies for disaster reduction, technology transfer, and capacity building.
• Digital Belt and Road Program (DBAR)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDBAR was initiated by Chinese scientists in 2016 and aims to improve environmental monitoring, promote data sharing, and support policymaking and sustainable development using big Earth data. Over 26 countries and 7 International Centers of Excellence are involved.
• International Society for Digital Earth (ISDE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISDE is headquartered in China and co-sponsored by AIRCAS. The society promotes the Digital Earth concept, joined GEO in 2009 and ISC in 2017. ISDE was accepted as member of UN-GGIM GS in 2019.
• International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage under UNESCO (HIST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNESCO Category 2 centre hosted by AIRCAS, applying space technologies to support conservation of World Biosphere Reserves and natural/cultural heritage sites.
• International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBAS is an international research center under AIRCAS that produces annual Big Earth Data reports supporting UN SDGs, with partnerships with over 40 research institutions globally. Led by Prof. Guo Huadong.
• UNESCAP (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNESCAP organized training workshops with AIRCAS on Central Asia Drought Information System, hosting experts from the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kyrgyzstan.
• Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBAS experts collaborated with SAJOREC at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Kenya for remote sensing and SDG training workshops.
• ICIMOD (International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBAS supported a regional workshop on SDG 15 Monitoring in Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal using Earth observation and geospatial technologies, organized by ICIMOD.
• UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNCTAD co-hosted the Regional Training Workshop for Satellite Crop Monitoring using the CropWatch System in Mauritius with ANSO and AIRCAS. Participants from 11 countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Ghana, Cameroon.
• ANSO (Alliance of International Science Organizations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIRCAS collaborates with ANSO on research projects including WaterMap N-Africa and the CropWatch-ICP program for agricultural monitoring in African countries.
• Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIRCAS and OSS jointly organized the Technical Training Workshop on Monitoring and Assessment of Water Resources and Agricultural Water Use in North Africa in Tunis, Tunisia, October 2025.
• South African National Space Agency (SANSA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIRCAS and SANSA have ongoing cooperation in space technology innovation. South African Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation visited AIRCAS in June 2025 to explore new collaboration areas including joint satellite data reception and remote sensing data sharing.
• International Programme Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (IRDR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIRCAS collaborates with IRDR on disaster risk reduction initiatives as part of its international platform engagements.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Maxar Technologies: US-based commercial satellite imaging and space infrastructure operator (WorldView, GeoEye). Competes with AIRCAS's satellite-data products for government/defense EO customers globally, particularly in high-resolution imagery.
• CNES (Centre national d'études spatiales): France's national space agency with a comparable civil aerospace mandate and active EO/international cooperation programs. Comparable in scale of national EO infrastructure and bilateral MoU-driven international engagement.
• Airbus Defence and Space — Intelligence: Operator of the SPOT, Pléiades, and TerraSAR-X constellations. Competes directly with AIRCAS SAR and high-resolution optical imagery products in government/defense EO markets.
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): The US federal space agency with the broadest Earth observation and aerospace research mandate. Broader than AIRCAS (includes human spaceflight and planetary science), but directly comparable on satellite remote sensing, climate/SDG data products, and bilateral cooperation programs.
• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): India's national space agency operating IRS, Cartosat, and Resourcesat EO constellations plus extensive capacity-building in developing countries. A peer in BRICS/regional EO diplomacy and developing-country training delivery.
• European Space Agency (ESA): Multilateral European equivalent operating Copernicus, Earth Explorers, and EO data dissemination programs. Highly comparable as a state-affiliated EO platform with international partnership models (DBAR-CEOS, Sentinel data sharing).
• Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA): Japan's national aerospace agency with comparable satellite remote sensing, disaster monitoring, and Asia-Pacific EO partnership activities (including Asia-RiCE and Sentinel Asia), making it a natural Asia-Pacific comparator to AIRCAS.

Emerging players

• Planet Labs PBC: Commercial operator of the largest Earth observation satellite constellation (Dove, SkySat) with daily global revisit. Overlaps with AIRCAS's CropWatch/DroughtWatch agricultural monitoring applications via proprietary high-cadence imagery.

Direct peers

• German Aerospace Center (DLR): Germany's national aerospace research center operates as a government-funded research institute with a similarly multi-domain portfolio (space, aeronautics, transport, energy). DLR is the closest international analog to AIRCAS in structure, funding model, and breadth of EO/sensor R&D.
• National Space Science Center (NSSC), Chinese Academy of Sciences: Sister CAS institute focused on space science missions and payloads. Direct peer under the same CAS parent operating complementary space-research infrastructure and pursuing overlapping Moon/space exploration programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aerospace-information-research-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about aerospace information research institute