Brazil's National Institute of Space Investigations (INPE) has initiated 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 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 until August of 2003. 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 U.S. Landsat, the French Spot and the Indian Resource Sat. Brazil uses satellite images to monitor the deforestation of the Amazons and to get agricultural information and, this year, also started to provide free satellite images to Latin American and African countries.

(Image: CBERS satellite, courtesy of China Brazil Earth Resources Satellite/INPE.)