Venezuela Second Remote Sensing Satellite to Launch Soon

Venezuela and China today signed a manufacturing contract for the second satellite, which will be launched in October 2012, the Venezuela News Agency reported, via People's Daily Online.

"This remote sensing satellite will be for monitoring the development and impact of natural phenomena, such as earthquakes, floods and heavy rains," said Menendez, the minister for Science, Technology and Intermediate Industries.

The construction of a second satellite with a designed service life of five to six year has begun and it will cost Venezuela 1.4 billion dollars.

In October 2008, China handed over the first Chinese-built telecommunication satellite to Venezuela.