In October 2008, China used a Long March 3B to lift Venezuela’s first satellite – the Venesat-1 communications satellite – into space from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Southwest China. That satellite was the first Chinese satellite used by a Latin American nation.
In September 2012, a Long March 2D rocket sent Venezuela’s first remote-sensing satellite, the VRSS-1, into space from the Jiuquan center – the first time China had exported a remote-sensing satellite.
A statement from China Academy of Space Technology said VRSS-2 was designed based on its CAST2000 small satellite bus, which functions as a platform for holding other satellites, and has a life span of five years. It said compared with VRSS-1, the new one can take larger and clearer images of Earth.
The academy said about 30 Venezuelan satellite engineers took part in VRSS-2’s development and production.
China has exported 14 satellites to 11 countries, including Bolivia, Nigeria and Laos.
Next year, Great Wall will launch Pakistan’s first remote-sensing satellite, also developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, according to company managers.
Source:.chinadaily.com.cn