China Seeks Foreign Assistance in Building Environment Satellite Constellation
BEIJING, May 17, 2007 - Satnews Daily - China has announced plans to launch eight small satellites to monitor natural disasters, pollution and the environment. Three of the satellites will be launched in 2008; the remainder by 2010. China said it is open to international cooperation in building this satellite constellation.
Zhang Qingwei, president of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, which builds China’s satellites, was quoted as saying the country plans to send a small-satellite constellation into orbit beginning 2008 for environment and disaster monitoring and forecasting. In 2009, four more satellites will be sent into orbit within two years to better monitor, predict and assess ecological damage, pollution and disasters in any weather and over larger swathes of China’s territory.
The satellites will help China improve its capabilities in reducing the impact of natural disasters and protecting the environment. China will expand the constellation into one comprising eight small satellites.
Natural disasters, including typhoons, floods, droughts and earthquakes, claimed 3,186 lives in China and forced the evacuation of 14 million people last year. China suffered direct losses of at least $32 billion from natural calamities, the highest in eight years, said vice-minister of civil affairs Li Liguo.
Pollution problems are also on the rise. The number of mass accidents caused by environmental problems is increasing by 30 percent annually. China reported some 160 pollution accidents in 2006, according to the State Environmental Protection Administration.
"China is shifting its satellite research and development work from trial applications to mission services," Zhang said.
