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Nation to build new satellite system
By Cui Ning (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-11-16 22:37
China will build a large satellite-based earth observation system by 2010,
says a top space official.
The system could be used for observation of land, atmosphere and ocean within
China, its adjacent areas and even the entire globe, said Sun Laiyan, director
of China National Space Administration, yesterday in Beijing.
Sun was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 18th plenary session of the
Committee for Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS), an international
non-governmental organization set up in 1984 to focus on air-to-surface
observation.
Sun said before 2010, China will develop a new generation of polar orbit and
stationary orbit meteorological satellites, high-performance resource follow-up
satellites, oceanic colour and dynamic observation satellites.
China will also set up a mini-satellite constellation for environmental and
disaster monitoring. Construction of the constellation will be done in two
phases. The first phase would see deployment of three satellites. In the second
phase,eight more satellites would be put in place, said Sun.
"We will complete the first phase before 2007. We welcome international
collaboration to complete the second phase before 2010," he said.
"The China National Space Administration wishes to enhance exchanges and
co-operation with other countries in the field of earth observation, to
contribute more to peaceful use of outer space," Sun said.
Some 300 officials and specialists from home and abroad attended the
conference, to discuss how to study global water resources, disaster monitoring
and other issues through earth observation technology.
According to Minister of science and technology Xu Guanhua, the first earth
meteorological satellites were developed in 1960. Since then, many countries
began to develop their own earth observation technology. CEOS was formed to
co-ordinate worldwide efforts for civil earth observation.
Results of earth observation are used in atmospheric, ocean and land studies
as well as agriculture, industry and business sectors.
China joined CEOS in 1991.
The country has developed meteorological, resource, ocean, navigation and
environment satellites and manned space craft. These satellites have played an
active role in meteorological forecasts, disaster prevention, natural resources
rationalization and climate change studies, said Xu.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of CEOS, officials from World Meteorology
Organization, European Space Administration and other international
organizations delivered speeches yesterday.
An exhibition of remote-sensing technology, global positioning system, space
science and other earth observation-related technological achievements was held
and will last until Thursday.
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