China's 'Double Satellite Program' Expected to be Launched Next Year

Home>>Sci-Edu

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, March 23, 2002

China's 'Double Satellite Program' Expected to be Launched Next Year

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

The two satellites, one for the equatorial sphere and another the polar area of the "Double Satellite Program" developed jointly by National Astronautics Bureau of China and European Space Agency have by and large been decided to be launched respectively in June and December of 2003.

The news was revealed by Liu Zhenxing, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, chief of the scientists for the China Double-satellite Geo-spherical Probing Program when he was here having an interview with the reporter.

The "Double Satellite Program" refers to the Double-satellite Geo-spherical Probing Program consisting of an equatorial satellite and a polar satellite. The program was put forward by China with China to take up the major responsibility in the cooperation of the project. The Chinese side is responsible for five systems of great importance, including the satellite integral system, the carrier rocket system, ground application system, satellite launching system and satellites monitoring and controlling system. Whereas the European Space Agency will take up the work of researching and manufacturing of the eight satellite-carried probing meters and the examination of the whole system of which one meter is going to be co-developed by China and Europe, and a ground station for satellite data reception.

The research work of the "Double Satellite Program" is now in a smooth sailing, said Liu Zhenxing. The work undertaken by China and Europe is being carried out according to the schedule. Next month will see the experts of the European Space Agency come to China taking part in the work of appraisal of the satellite system and ground system undertaken by the Chinese side. And the Chinese experts will also go to Europe in the coming May to conduct a unified examination and checkup of the satellite-carried probing meters researched and manufactured for the European side in Britain. All these work will provide an antecedent preparation for a smooth launching of the two satellites and the smooth implementation of the "Double Satellite Program".

As also revealed by Liu Zhenxing, the numeric data for the double-satellite probing will jointly be received and worked out by the three ground stations, which are respectively located in Beijing, Shanghai, and Spain as provided by the European Space Agency.

As formally announced by the European Space Agency recently it would put back 35 months the operational schedule of its "Satellite Cluster Program" comprising of the four satellites. This is very conducive to the close cooperation of the two sides, said Liu Zhenxing. The "Double Satellite Program" will make up in an effective way the blind area of the "Satellite Cluster Program". When the double satellites are launched into the space, they, together with the "Satellite Cluster Program" will come to realize a three dimensional six-point probe over the geo-space, the first time in human history, making it possible to probe and analyze the magnetic space in a complete and multiple way. And it is also possible to bring to light the mystery of geo-magnetic layers, a mystery of great importance in science, thereby providing a scientific background for forecasting calamities plausible to happen in geo-space.

By People's Daily Online

Questions?Comments? Click here

China to Launch New Earth Resources Satellite

New Missions for Chinese Rocket Launcher

China Upgrades Satellite Platform