China will launch two satellites dedicated to radio and TV relay
services for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in June and October
this year, the China Satellite Communications Corporation (CSCC)
said Tuesday.
Manufacturing of the two satellites is underway under strict
quality control to ensure the timely and smooth launch of them,
said Guo Hao, deputy general manager of CSCC.
CSCC has been contracted to provide broadcasting and TV signal
transfer and traffic monitoring and navigation services for the
2008 Olympic Games.
China launched an Olympic weather forecasting satellite, the
Fengyun-2D, last December.
China Meteorological Administration (CMA) announced early this
month the Fengyun-2D satellite had successfully connected with the
ground control and was operating normally.
Chief designer Li Qin said, "The satellite will provide accurate
and timely information about weather changes to help us with
weather forecasts during the Beijing 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)