The white paper says China will develop and launch seed-breeding satellite,
and promote integration of space technology and agricultural breeding technology
and expand the application of space technology in the field of agricultural
science research.
China will also develop scientific satellites, including space telescope and
new-type recoverable satellites, and conduct basic research in the fields of
space astronomy, space physics, micro-gravity science, and space life science,
according to the white paper.
Over the past five years, China has independently developed and launched 22
different types of man-made satellites, upgrading its overall level in this
field markedly.
On the basis of the four satellite series initially developed, China has
developed two more satellite series, to bring the total to six -- the
recoverable remote-sensing satellites, "DFH" (Dongfanghong, or The East is Red)
telecommunications and broadcasting satellites, "FY" (Fengyun, or Wind and
Cloud) meteorological satellites, "SJ" (Shijian, or Practice) scientific
research and technological experiment satellites, "ZY" (Ziyuan, or Resources)
Earth resource satellites, and "Beidou" (Plough) navigation and positioning
satellites.
In addition, the oceanic satellite series will come into being soon.
"Research and development of the payload of some new, high-performance
satellites have been successful, and many application satellites have begun
regular operation," the white paper says.
The Fengyun I and Fengyun II meteorological satellites have been listed by
the World Meteorological Organization in the international satellite series for
meteorological services.
The fields and scale where satellite remote-sensing is used have been
constantly expanded. A national satellite remote-sensing application system has
taken shape, the white paper says.
Satellite remote-sensing application systems are playing an important role in
the nationwide land resources survey, ecological construction and environmental
protection, as well as in major state projects, such as the South-North Water
Diversion Project, Three Gorges Project, and the Project to Transmit Natural Gas
from West to East.
Satellite telecommunications and broadcasting technologies are developing
rapidly. By the end of 2005, China had more than 80 international and domestic
telecommunications and broadcasting Earth stations, and 34 satellite
broadcasting and TV link stations.
Dozens of departments and some large corporations have established some 100
satellite specialized communication networks and more than 50,000 Very Small
Aperture Terminals (VSAT).
As a member of the International Maritime Satellite Organization, China has
established a maritime satellite communication network covering the whole world,
ranking it among the advanced countries in the application of international
mobile satellite communication.
By employing domestic and foreign navigation and positioning satellites,
China has made great progress in the development, application and services of
satellite navigation and positioning technologies. The range and fields where
satellite navigation and positioning are applied are being expanded and the size
of the national market for satellite navigation and positioning doubles every
two years
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