Satellite developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) for pursuing sustainable development. It is expected to provide advanced, open and shared data resources for monitoring and evaluating the sustainable development index representing the interaction between human and nature, in particular providing support for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The satellite has three payloads including thermal infrared, low light level and multispectral imagers, with 300 km wide data acquisition swath capability. It can achieve global coverage within 11 days.

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.