China will launch two satellites dedicated to radio and TV
relaying services specifically for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The launches are
set for June and October this year, the China Satellite
Communications Corporation (CSCC) said Tuesday.
The two satellites are being built under strict quality control
conditions to ensure their timely and smooth launch, said Guo Hao,
deputy general manager of CSCC.
CSCC has been contracted to provide broadcasting and TV signal
transfers as well as traffic monitoring and navigation services for
the 2008 Olympic Games.
China launched an Olympic weather forecasting satellite, the
Fengyun-2D, last December.
The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) announced early
this month that the Fengyun-2D satellite had successfully connected
with ground control and was functioning within normal
parameters.
Chief designer Li Qin said, "The satellite will provide accurate
and timely information about weather changes to help us with
weather forecasts during the 2008 Olympic Games, especially the
opening and closing ceremonies and important contests."
Besides monitoring weather changes in China, the FY-2D will also
monitor weather changes in neighboring countries.
(Xinhua News Agency January 31, 2007)