China plans to launch optical satellites above the South China Sea in 2019
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China’s southern island province Hainan said it is prepared to launch three optical satellites in late 2019, which will compose a low-latitude observation constellation and cover the entire South China Sea. 

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Flie photo: VCG

The Sanya Institute of Remote Sensing approved the technical plan for the Satellite Constellation Program on Tuesday, which included three optical satellites in 2019, three optical satellites and two hyperspectral satellites by 2020 and two SAR satellites by 2021.

The program is a commercial space project that launched on December 14, 2017, to conduct remote-sensing over the South China Sea. 

The first three satellites will carry Automatic Identification System and optical cameras that are optimized for water surface observation. The resolution is high enough to identify islands and reefs, as well as medium and large vessels in the area. 

Yang Tianliang, director of the institute, said the network would be used to provide data services in offshore fisheries and emergency rescue.

(Compiled by Xu Yanan)