Construction of a national development center for small satellites and their application was completed in Beijing on Tuesday, paving the way for their large-scale development.

"The center has a designed production capacity of six to eight small satellites. It is the largest small satellite development and experiment base in the world at present," said an official from the center, which is owned by the Dongfanghong Satellite Company of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

The 16,135-square meter complex, located in Beijing's northwestern outskirts, consists of a design center and an assembly, testing and experimental facility. Its business scope ranges from research to the design and assembly of small satellites.

China has launched a number of small satellites over recent years for use in scientific experiments, resource surveys, disaster alert and environmental and agricultural monitoring. The latest launch was made in mid November from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province.

(Xinhua News Agency December 15, 2004)