Venezuela kicks off space effort

[Judi Lynn]

Last Updated: Tuesday, 28 February 2006, 22:43 GMT

Venezuela kicks off space effort
By Greg Morsbach
BBC News, Venezuela

Venezuelan scientists are going to China to begin work on Venezuela's first satellite - the first step on the way to a national space programme.

President Hugo Chavez has earmarked around $0.5bn (£287m) to get the space agency off the ground in 2007.

The 30 scientists will be joined by another 60 next year to build the satellite along with China.

Venezuela's government hopes to use it to broadcast many of its own radio and TV programmes throughout Latin America.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4760982.stm

[On the Road]

1. Oh My God!

Hugo will have spy satellites looking down on US military facilities!
Help! Panic! Invade!