A small multi-purpose satellite, jointly designed by China, Thailand and Iran, will be launched in the latter half of next year.

Deputy Head of China National Space Administration, Luo Ge, says the satellite is for scientific experiments, telecommunications and earth observation.

He says Pakistan, Bangladesh and South Korea will also join in the applied research of the satellite.

Luo Ge says China is also providing training in satellite technology and management of space programs for engineers from 11 Asian-Pacific countries including Indonesia, Cambodia and Peru. 

(CRI  July 3, 2005)