Nine satellites, including one that will carry nothing but seeds, are set to be launched into space this year.

Zhang Qingwei, president of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, said the first one a scientific experimental satellite would blast off at the end of April.

He revealed the plans to China Daily while he was attending the annual meeting of the National People's Congress, which opened yesterday in Beijing.

For the first time, the country will send into orbit a "seed satellite" specially designed for seed-breeding in space, he said. It is scheduled for September.

The recoverable satellite will enable scientists to try to cultivate high-yield and high-quality plant varieties after the seeds are exposed to special environments such as cosmic radiation and micro-gravity, according to sources with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Zhang said another important satellite to be put into space in 2006 is SinoSat 2, the country's first direct broadcasting satellite, which is expected to beam TV programmes to even the most remote rural regions in the country.

Zhang said SinoSat 2 will be based on the country's newest generation of satellite platform Dongfanghong 4, which has a designed life mission of 15 years.

Other satellites in the pipeline include a meteorological satellite and oceanic satellite that will monitor ocean colour and red tides, he said.

China has launched more than 70 satellites since the 1970s. Nearly 20 are still in service, Qi Faren, designer-in-chief of the country's manned spacecraft, said yesterday.

The country's economic blueprint, submitted by Premier Wen Jiabao for deliberation of national lawmakers yesterday, calls for the space industry to make a shift from "experimental application" to business services in the coming years.

Source: China Daily