China Launches Environment Monitoring Satellites

    China recently launched two satellites to monitor the environment and natural disasters -- the first Chinese satellites of this kind to go into space. Equipped with state-of-the-art imaging systems and infrared cameras, the satellites can provide a global scan every two days, closely tracking natural disasters and providing quick assessments of damage to guide rescue and reconstruction efforts.

     The pair, estimated to have a lifespan of more than three years, are part of China’s plan to create a satellite constellation of four optical and four radar satellites. The constellation will enable China to have a stable and efficient forecasting and service network for environmental and natural disaster monitoring.