China to launch first Earth observation satellite in April

Beijing: China’s first satellite for its high-resolution system for Earth observation, aimed at reducing disasters and protecting resources, will be launched in April, the government said today. Examinations of the satellite and its carrier rocket — the Long March 2D - have been completed and the satellite is now in the launch stage, State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence (SATIND) said. [caption id=“attachment_678967” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  It will also enhance China’s ability to obtain high-resolution observation data and accelerate its development of satellite application technologies. Reuters[/caption] China plans to launch five to six satellites before the end of 2015 in order to build a spatial, temporal and spectral high-resolution observation system. The system is expected to help reduce disasters, protect resources, the environment and national security, as well as support geographic and oceanic surveys and urban transportation management, the SATIND said. It will also enhance China’s ability to obtain high-resolution observation data and accelerate its development of satellite application technologies, state run Xinhua news agency reported. PTI