Domestic satellites providing 80 pct of China's satellite data

BEIJING -- Chinese satellites are now providing more than 80 percent of the satellite data used in the country, according to a senior official with responsibility for defense procurement policy.

Xu Dazhe, head of the State Administration for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND), made the claim at a press conference on Thursday held to launch a new national satellite data database, developed as China has been building its own satellite constellation as an alternative to US-operated GPS.

The database is based on the Sky Eyes project that will eventually see seven linked HD Earth observation satellites in space. Three of them have already been launched.

"This data will contribute to more accurate decisions by the government," said Wu Yanhua, deputy head of SASTIND.

Companies can also apply to access the database.

"Industries such as land and resources, agriculture and meteorology will also benefit from the project," Wu said.

The general public will get more detailed maps as a result of Sky Eyes, added Tong Xudong, the project's chief engineer.