Nine satellites, including one that will carry nothing but seeds, are set to be launched into space in 2006.
Zhang Qingwei, president of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, revealed the plans while he was attending the annual meeting of the National People's Congress, which opened yesterday in Beijing. For the first time, China will send into orbit a "seed satellite" specially designed for seed-breeding in space. The first scientific experimental satellite would blast off at the end of April. The recoverable satellite will enable scientists to try to cultivate high-yield and high-quality plant varieties after the seeds are exposed to special environments such as cosmic radiation and micro-gravity. Another important satellite to be put into space in 2006 is SinoSat 2, the country's first direct broadcasting satellite, which is expected to beam TV programmes to remote rural regions in the country. SinoSat 2 will be based on the country's newest generation of satellite platform Dongfanghong 4, which has a designed life mission of 15 years. Other satellites in the pipeline include a meteorological satellite and oceanic satellite that will monitor ocean colour and red tides. China has launched more than 70 satellites since the 1970s. Nearly 20 are still in service.
