China plans to launch three small satellites for environment and
disaster monitoring and forecasting next year, said Zhang Qingwei,
general manager of the China Aerospace Science and Technology
Corp., on Wednesday.
"In two or three years the constellation will comprise seven
satellites in order to better monitor, predict and assess
ecological damage, pollution and disaster in all weather and over a
large area", said Zhang, who is also chairman of the Chinese
Society of Astronautics.
"This will help China improve its capabilities in reducing
disasters and protecting the environment", he added.
"China is shifting (the purpose of) its satellite research and
development work from trial applications to mission services", said
Zhang.
In the 2006-2010 period, China will establish a spatial
information system composed of 60 to 70 satellites to facilitate
the country's economic and social development.
Nearly 100 satellites will be developed in the five-year period,
including communications and broadcasting satellites, earth
resources satellites, recoverable satellites, meteorological
satellites and navigation satellites.
(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2007)
