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China to launch new satellites
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CHINA plans to launch two small satellites in the next two years to research and predict space environment changes that could threaten spacecraft safety, the China National Space Administration announced on Wednesday in Beijing.
The two satellites, each weighing more than 270 kg, will be blasted into space at the end of 2002 and mid-2003, according to Liu Zhenxing, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Drastic magnetospheric environment changes such as magnetospheric storms can cause glitches in the operations of telecommunications and meteorological satellites, resulting in poorer communications and weather services, said Liu.
Liu said that an equator-range satellite and a polar-range satellite will be put into orbit to cruise the geo-space that other space exploration satellites have not covered. It is expected that the findings of the satellites will cast light on scientists' understanding of the activities of electromagnetic fields and energetic particles, and improve the country's ability to accurately forecast space environment changes.
The programme works in co-operation with the European Space Agency, and the two China-made satellites, carrying 19 sets of scientific instruments developed by the two sides, are expected to work together with the four satellites of the European agency's CLUSTERII programme in conducting space exploration, according to Liu Shijun with the State Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence.
(Xinhua)
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