China put into operation its first oceanic satellite, Haiyang 1-A, and began development of two new ones on Wednesday.

Haiyang 1-A was launched on May 15 as the first satellite in China to observe optical features of the oceans and survey ocean phenomena, offshore sands and red tides, according to the State Oceanic Administration.

The satellite weighs 368 kilograms and has a designed life span of two years.

In another development, contracts were signed Wednesday on the development of a meteorological satellite, Fengyun 3, and a second oceanic satellite, Haiyang 1-B.

The Fengyun 3 is China's second-generation solar orbiting (sun-synchronous orbiting) satellite. It will provide global weather information, including temperatures, humidity, air pressure and radiation.

The satellite, to be launched by a Long March 3 carrier rocket, will have the capacity to distinguish an expressway on earth from 890 km above.

The oceanic satellite, Haiyang 1-B, will be an advanced version of Haiyang 1-A with improved technologies including memory capacity.

Haiyang 1-B is scheduled for launch in 2005 on a Long March 2 carrier.

(Xinhua News Agency September 18, 2002)