China plans to launch one more maritime satellite in 2009, an
official said on Sunday.
The project to research and manufacture "Ocean II" maritime
satellite was approved by the government in January and the
satellite is scheduled to be launched in 2009, said Sun Laiyan,
vice-minister in charge of the Commission of Science, Technology
and Industry for National Defence.
The project is expected to boost the country's own maritime
satellite system, Sun said.
China launched its first maritime satellite "Ocean IA" in May
2002, followed by "Ocean IB" five years later in April 2007.
"Ocean IB" now runs well and has sent back real time monitoring
information, according to sources with China Aerospace Science and
Industry Corp.
(Xinhua News Agency October 1, 2007)