China increases lead in global remote sensing research as US share slips

by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 07, 2025

A new study from NYU Tandon School of Engineering finds China now produces nearly half of all peer-reviewed remote sensing publications, while the US accounts for just 9 percent - a reversal from six decades ago. Tracking more than 126,000 papers published between 1961 and 2023, the study outlines China's rapid rise in this field, having grown from minimal output prior to the 1990s to 47 percent of global research by 2023. In contrast, US contributions have fallen from 88 percent in the 1960s.

Remote sensing technology, which involves gathering data from sources including satellites, lasers and hyperspectral imagery, supports critical applications in autonomous vehicles, climate monitoring, and national security. The global remote sensing market was valued at $452 billion in 2022, and is projected to reach $1.44 trillion by 2030.

The study, led by Professor Debra Laefer, documents exponential growth in the field overall, with annual publication rates climbing from a dozen in the 1960s to more than 13,000 in 2023. This expansion is attributed to declining equipment costs, increased global participation, shifts to digital publishing, and, most notably, to the widespread adoption of machine learning and artificial intelligence in research.

Laefer stated, "This represents one of the most significant shifts in global technological leadership in recent history." The study reveals a striking link between national funding and research output. Chinese sources financed over 53 percent of remote sensing papers between 2021 and 2023, compared to 5 percent for US agencies. Among the top ten research funders, six are from China. NASA, which formerly led funding through the 1990s, has been surpassed by Chinese organizations, while the US National Science Foundation lacks divisions specifically for geomatics or geodesy.

China has also become the dominant generator of intellectual property in the field, leading in remote sensing-related patent filings worldwide between 2021 and 2023. Over 43,000 patents were filed globally, most by Chinese applicants. Recent years have also seen publication titles shift toward themes of artificial intelligence, digital twins, and autonomous navigation, with over 80,000 papers in 2023 referencing deep learning or machine learning.

The authors note that remote sensing supports growth in industries such as augmented reality and autonomous navigation, emphasizing the commercial and strategic importance of maintaining technological competitiveness.

Research Report:Remote Sensing Publications 1961 - 2023 - Analysis of National and Global Trends