In the second half of 2007, China will project its first satellite for monitoring environment and natural disasters, the "HJ-1", to improve the country's abilities in monitoring environmental changes and reducing calamities.

The satellite constellation is composed of a number of small satellites, the ground system, and the application system. "Environment-1" consists of two small optical satellites, the "HJ-1A" and the "HJ-1B", and one radar satellite, the "HJ-1C".

Currently, the satellites and transmitters are being manufactured in accordance with the technical demands of its owners, the State Environmental Protection Administration and the National Committee for Disaster Reduction.

(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2006)