China plans to launch six satellites in the next seven years to improve its weather forecasting ahead of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. The first is to be launched by Long March 4 rocket carrier before next June.
The satellite will offer weather service for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games by providing long and short term weather reports and air environment analysis, says Li Huang, vice director of the China Meteorological Administration.
With a service life of two to three years, these satellites will monitor and forecast sand storms, tornadoes, thunder and air quality, as well as heavy rain, thunderstorms and hailstones. It will greatly improve China’s ability to withstand disastrous weather.
Meanwhile, an action plan aiming to make the 2008 Summer Olympic Games into a high technology-supported sports event has been jointly launched by the Chinese government and major scientific and research institutions. The Plan will employ top Chinese scientists and the latest research results to provide technology and intelligence support to the 2008 Games, said Xu Gukanhua, Minister of Science and Technology.
