The Applied Astronomy Group of Yunnan Observatories has developed, and is currently operating, the following instruments: the 1.2m telescope, the 1.8m telescope, the space debris telescope, the small photoelectric telescope, CAPS, and three GPS calibration stations. 　

　　Of these, the 1.2m telescope is mainly used to measure the distance to artificial satellites as well as for photometry; the 1.8m telescope is mainly used for the observation of artificial satellites and other objects; the space debris telescope is a 43cm telescope mainly used to monitor space debris and other objects in high orbit; the small photoelectric telescope is a 25cm telescope mainly used to monitor space debris and other objects in low orbit; CAPS is a relay station for a local positioning system, and the GPS stations are elements of the global GPS system. 

　　The main responsibilities of the group include providing distance measurements to artificial satellites in support of national space projects, and monitoring hazardous space debris. The group is also responsible for upgrading existing systems.