China is manufacturing new satellites weighing under 1,000 kilograms as well as the first carrier rocket with solid fuel.

A spokesman for the Shanghai Science and Technology Forum announced Friday that at least two mini-satellites, named " Exploration-1" and "Innovation-1," are being assembled.

Institutes engaged in the program include the prestigious China Space Science and Technology Corporation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qinghua University and Harbin Industrial University, the spokesman revealed.

He disclosed that China is also designing its first carrier rocket with solid fuel, which is expected to launch small satellites weighing 100 kilograms.

The design of the rocket will be completed in 2001 and the first launch mission will be carried out in 2002, he said.

Small satellites became popular in the 1990s because they are flexible, cheap and applicable in many fields.

China's mini-satellites will be used for data transmission, monitoring the environment, space observation, navigation and science experiments, the spokesman said.

China launched its first mini-satellite in 1999 and the second this year, weighing 297 kilograms and 50 kilograms respectively.

(Xinhua 11/3/2000)