Which Chinese space series began in the 1990s as reconnaissance and surveillance satellites?

• A. Yaogan series
• B. Fengyun series
• C. Shijian series
• D. Ziyuan series

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is matching Chinese space series to their main mission and origin in time. The Yaogan series is China’s military reconnaissance and surveillance satellites, developed and launched starting in the 1990s as part of building up space-based intelligence capabilities. These satellites are meant for gathering various kinds of intelligence through different sensing methods, which is why this series fits the description of reconnaissance and surveillance.

The other series have different primary roles. Fengyun satellites are weather satellites, focused on meteorology, with development that began earlier and is not about reconnaissance. Shijian satellites are experimental/test platforms used to try out new space technologies, not for intelligence gathering. Ziyuan satellites are earth-observation resources satellites aimed at civilian remote sensing like mapping and land monitoring, not primarily military reconnaissance.