China launches Wenwu‑01, first satellite for cultural‑heritage monitoring

China has put into orbit Wenwu‑01, the nation’s first remote‑sensing satellite dedicated to protecting cultural heritage. Launched on 15 June 2026 aboard a Lijian‑1 carrier rocket from a commercial launch zone in north‑west China, the satellite carries sub‑meter (approximately 0.5 m) optical imaging capability and an artificial‑intelligence model trained to detect small environmental changes at historic sites. It can monitor key locations such as the Great Wall, the Grand Canal and remote archaeological sites, identifying illegal construction or damage and supporting long‑term preservation efforts.

In parallel, the domestically built 文物‑01星 (Wenwu‑01) satellite, developed by Changguang Satellite Technology Co. in partnership with China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration, has completed its first batch of image acquisitions. The high‑resolution data and frequent revisit times are intended to enable systematic, dynamic monitoring of heritage assets across the country, integrating remote‑sensing, AI and a dedicated monitoring platform for continuous oversight.