China will launch 15 rockets, 17 satellites and the Shenzhou VII
spacecraft in 2008, the Commission of Science Technology and
Industry for National Defense (COSTIND) said?in
Beijing?Monday.
Huang Qiang, secretary general of the COSTIND, said the Shenzhou
VII, the country's third manned space mission, was a major task for
the year. He urged full cooperation between all related departments
for the program.
Further details of the rockets and satellites were not
provided.
Huang also said that nearly 30 new technologies would be used
during the Beijing Olympic Games this summer, including
the Olympic torch, security system and meteorological services
provided by a new satellite.
(Xinhua News Agency January 8, 2008)