BEIJING -- 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.