Luoyang aims to become 'Chinese Culture City'
Century-old jade disc found confirms ancient legend
A serious mind behind Chinese leader
Panda Cubs to Predict 2014 World Cup Winners
China Southern Airlines flight attendants win titles in service contest
Pupil's performance art persuades people to stop smoking
Nie Chenxi's clay tigers
Children's Day wishes
Chinese Kung Fu charms Silicon Valley
Tranquil Yankou ancient town
LA PAZ, June 5 -- The Bolivian Space Agency (ABE) said Thursday that it has received a bidding from China to build an exploration satellite for the country, which would be Bolivia's second satellite.
Bolivia's first communications satellite, made by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), was launched on Dec. 21 last year.
ABE Director Ivan Zambrana told reporters that six transnational firms from China, Russia, France, England, Spain and the United States have formally expressed their interest in making an exploration satellite for Bolivia.
The satellite would carry out territorial surveys including soil studies and natural resources explorations, such as water and minerals that are near the earth's surface.
The satellite, to be named after Bartolina Sisa, an indigenous leader who helped fight the Spanish colonial rule, would be launched at the end of 2017 or the beginning of 2018.
According to the ABE, this project is on a smaller scale than the first one.
"The satellite is lighter, smaller, and at a much lower orbit," said the director. "It doesn't reach 1,000 kilometers. It will cost less."
The ABE said it also received a bidding from France.
"We are still awaiting proposals from companies from the other four countries to choose the best option," he said.
Magnificent Hutiao Gorge
Heat waves hit China
Love at the construction site
Graduation photos bring memories back to life
Art school students present works in Nanjing
Xinjiang's first high-speed railway goes on trial run
3D Sea-life Themed Art Garage unveiled in Zhengzhou
Creative Photos go viral during graduation season
Students in last-minute effort for Gaokao
Dali, an ideal summer vacation destination
Xichan Temple's little monk hit the Internet
Monologue of a modern dancer
College girl proposes to boyfriend on Weibo
Special operation members in counter-terrorism training
American football brings manhood out of boysDay|Week|Month