Brazil begins mechanical tests on satellites
22/12/2008 16:16
Brazil's National Institute of Space Investigations (INPE) has begun
additional tests on two satellites that are expected to be launched in five
years as part of a joint program with China.
The INPE announced on its web
site yesterday that scientists are testing dynamic resistance, sine-wave and
acoustic vibrations on the satellites of the Chinese-Brazilian Remote Vigilance
Program (CBERS).
The tests are being conducted in the INPE labs in the
southern city of Sao Jose dos Campos. The satellites CBERS-3 and CBERS-4 are
scheduled to be launched in 2010 and 2013 respectively.
The CBERS program was
established in 1988 to allow China and Brazil to develop, build, launch and
operate satellites together.
The first satellite, CBERS-1, was launched in
1999 and operated for four years till August 2003. A second one, CBERS-2, was
launched in 2003, and fulfilled its five-year mission in orbit on Oct. 22.
CBERS-2B, the third of its kind, was launched on Sept. 19, 2007.
The CBERS is
currently part of the world's main Earth-observing mission program that includes
the US Landsat, the French Spot and the Indian ResourceSat.
Brazil uses
satellite images to monitor the deforestation of the Amazons and to get
agricultural information.
Brazil this year also started to provide free
satellite images to Latin American and African countries.
Xinhua
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