Media Invitation: SSTL and UniS launch PRC satellite to monitor 2008 Olympic Games and to aid in natural disasters

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) and the University of Surrey (UniS) cordially invite members of the media to the live televised launch of the China DMC+4 earth observation satellite on Tuesday, 27 September at 7.52 a.m. at UniS School of Management.

China DMC+4, which will be launched from Plesetsk in northern Russia, will be used both to monitor preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, and will be the most advanced satellite to form part of the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC). DMC provides rapid response imaging data of disaster areas to aid organisations and government agencies, and which has already been used to assist in Darfur, the Indian Ocean Tsunami and the recent floods caused by Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf coast of the USA.

The launch is a mark of increasing Sino-British cooperation and the success of UK high-tech industry in exporting to the developing markets of China. It also confirms SSTL status as the world leader in the field of small satellites.

TopSat, an earth monitoring satellite jointly funded by the British National Space Centre and the UK Ministry of Defence, will also be launched in the same mission.

Please be aware that satellite launch dates may be affected by weather conditions at short notice and launches may be postponed by 24 hours.