China APMT to Launch 50 Miniaturized Satellites
SOURCE: China Space News
UPDATED: 2012-08-17
BEIJING, Aug. 9 (China Space News) — China Asia-Pacific Mobile Telecommunications Satellite Co., Ltd. (China APMT) has signed a QB50 Project Memorandum of Understanding with the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics (VKI).
According to the agreement, China APMT will launch 50 miniaturized satellites for VKI from 2014-15. It will also launch two regular satellites for the Belgium institute using its newly-developed launch vehicle in the next 10 years.
China APMT is owned by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, which is attached to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
Jean Muylaert, director of VKI, said signing the agreement showed the world that any country or region can partner up with China in scientific space exploration.
The QB50 Project, funded by the European Commission, deals with the design and the launch of a network of 50 miniaturized satellites to study the lower layers of the thermosphere/ionosphere.
A number of world-renowned research institutes and universities have participated in the project, including China's Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the Northwestern Polytechnical University.
According to the agreement, China APMT will launch 50 miniaturized satellites for VKI from 2014-15. It will also launch two regular satellites for the Belgium institute using its newly-developed launch vehicle in the next 10 years.
China APMT is owned by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, which is attached to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
Jean Muylaert, director of VKI, said signing the agreement showed the world that any country or region can partner up with China in scientific space exploration.
The QB50 Project, funded by the European Commission, deals with the design and the launch of a network of 50 miniaturized satellites to study the lower layers of the thermosphere/ionosphere.
A number of world-renowned research institutes and universities have participated in the project, including China's Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the Northwestern Polytechnical University.