China has joined the Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) Partnership and will launch as many as a hundred satellites in 15 years, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology of China at the 18th plenary of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) held in Beijing on November 16.

Global earth observing system consists of several platforms including ground remote sensing vehicles, planes, rockets, man-made satellites and spaceships, which, through collaboration, are able to conduct multi-perspective three-dimensional observation and dynamic monitoring.

Nowadays many countries and international organizations are actively pushing for a global, comprehensively coordinated earth observing system, through integrating related technologies and information, to jointly enhance the capability and efficiency of earth observation thus serve the world's sustainable development.

Xu Guanhua, China's minister of science and technology and CEOS chair, said, joining the partnership means China has merged itself with the general trend of international cooperation in earth observing satellites and China is willing to make contribution to the globalization in that field.

Sources with the Ministry of Science and Technology said, China plans to launch 15 satellites within the coming 15 years covering land resources, mapping, forests, agriculture, and urban construction etc. These satellites, composing a net for thorough investigation, will be able to grasp necessary data anytime anywhere through earth observing for better monitor on resources, energy and living environment.

Those satellites will finally help speed up building a comprehensive earth observing system, hoist China's technologies and application to a new height, and provide stronger, more objective and scientific information for proper decision-making by governments at all levels.

By People's Daily Online