Construction of a national development center for small
satellites and their application was completed in Beijing on
Tuesday, paving the way for their large-scale development.
"The center has a designed production capacity of six to eight
small satellites. It is the largest small satellite development and
experiment base in the world at present," said an official from the
center, which is owned by the Dongfanghong Satellite Company of the
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).
The 16,135-square meter complex, located in Beijing's
northwestern outskirts, consists of a design center and an
assembly, testing and experimental facility. Its business scope
ranges from research to the design and assembly of small
satellites.
China has launched a number of small satellites over recent
years for use in scientific experiments, resource surveys, disaster
alert and environmental and agricultural monitoring. The latest
launch was made in mid November from Xichang Satellite Launch
Center in Sichuan
Province.
(Xinhua News Agency December 15, 2004)