Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) will launch the Formosat-5 satellite for China’s National Space Organisation (NSPO) in December 2013 from its launch site on Omelek Island at the US Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) in the Central Pacific.

Formosat-5 will continue to build up the image data service for civilian users provided by the Formosat series of earth observation satellites.

It can also carry instruments for research and scientific experiments.

NSPO is developing the satellite to build China’s capabilities for independently developed spacecraft and payload instruments.