Chinese to train Bolivians how to operate satellites
By IANSSunday, April 4, 2010
LA PAZ - Seventy-four Bolivians will get training from Chinese scientists on how to operate communication satellites, Bolivia’s vice-minister for telecommunications Roy Mendez said.
The trainees will learn the techniques of construction, pre-launch testing and gathering data from the satellites from the space.
He said a newly formed Bolivian Space Agency will also give training to professionals, especially young Bolivians, on how to operate and administrate Tupac Katari satellites, Prensa Latina reported.
The training programme is part of an agreement signed between the two countries in La Paz April 1. The two countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding under which China will build and launch Bolivias Tupac Katari telecommunications satellite.
It is estimated that in three years the satellite will start sending signals in Bolivia and Latin America through two earth stations located in Pampahasi, east of La Paz, and La Guardia in Santa Cruz, Mendez said.
