China Centre for Resources Satellite Data and Application (CRESDA) was founded in October，1991. It is a scientific research and operational management institution under the supervision of National Development and Reform Commission and Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense. China Aerospace Science and Technology Cooperation (CASC) is responsible for the administrative management of CRESDA.

The aims of CRESDA are: to provide assistance in the developments of Chinese space technologies; bring about economic benefits to China; provide high quality and effective services for the State Council and the relevant departments of government and local authorities; organize and coordinate land observation satellites ground system construction, including data receiving, processing, archiving, distribution, and application, etc.

The main responsibilities of CRESDA are: to implement the government’s instructions and policies on satellite applications; to put forward strategies, long-term plans, annual plans and financial budgets on the development of resources satellites; to be responsible for program design, engineering supervision, and technical coordination and operational management for application system of resources satellites; to table a proposal on utilization requests and development direction of resources satellite series based on the demands of user community and research results; to organize the research and development activities for applications, technologies, and approaches of resources satellite data; to provide suggestion of macro-decision and data for resources, environment, and natural disaster etc. to governments and end-users, respectively; to study and draw up standards about the technologies and qualities of China Resources Satellite Application System; to organize research on the application of earth observing satellites all over the world；to take charge of relevant affairs based on the arrangement of National Development and Reform Commission and Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense.

According to the actual demands and long-term objectives of national development of earth observation in China, CRESDA is building up a national-level data center for land observation satellites, which makes it possible to realize standardized data processing, highly efficient data archiving, speedy data distribution and high quality services.