The satellite is used to monitor seawater color and temperature through remote sensing technology.

Developed by the Chinese Institute of Space Technology, the satellite was launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, in north China's Shanxi Province, on May 15.

Test data show the major technology index of the satellite has met pre-set requirements and the satellite is working well with the ground control system.

Haiyang-1 has transmitted a number of images back to the Earth in the past three months.

China will develop a series of marine satellites after the Haiyang-1. They will have three major functions -- to inspect color changes in seawater, monitor the dynamics of the ocean environment and general surveillance of the ocean environment.

(People's Daily September 6, 2002)