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BEIJING (Reuters) -- China plans to launch its first network of state-of-the-art optical and radar satellites, state media said on Wednesday. The Chinese Academy of Space Technology (CAST) had completed feasibility studies for the six-satellite network, and would make its first launch in the first half of 1999, Xinhua news agency said. The network, made up of four optical satellites and two radar satellites, would provide round-the-clock environmental and disaster monitoring, Xinhua said. China also plans to develop satellite networks for "navigation, global positioning, mobile telecommunications and Earth observations," Xinhua quoted CAST Director Xu Fuxiang as saying. An additional orbiter is scheduled for launch in 2000 to conduct oceanic surveys, Xinhua said. "Realization of the programs will enable China's small-satellite technology to reach advanced international standards," CAST Director Xu Fuxiang was quoted as saying. The orbiters would belong to a class called Small Multi-Mission Satellites, because of their versatility and size, which ranged from 100-1,000 kilograms (220-2,200 pound), it said. The new-technology satellites would leapfrog in operating life and capability the eight small or mini-scale orbiters China has launched since the 1970s, Xinhua said. Copyright 1998 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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