China plans to launch three small satellites for environment and disaster
monitoring and forecastingnext year, said Zhang Qingwei, general manager of the
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp., yesterday.
"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.