"Reliability issues mar satellite industry" from South China Morning Post

"China had just successfully launched its second lunar probe, the Chang'e-2, which is orbiting the moon, and only days later the space community celebrated the launch of the sixth satellite of an eventual 35 that will form a home-grown satellite navigation and positioning network aimed at rivalling the US-made Global positioning System.

It seems a good time for the Chinese space industry."

"So, not only is China offering satellites at a cheaper price than their Western rivals, it is also offering countries the loans they need to cover almost the entire cost of the projects.

When the deal to manufacture and launch Pakistan's first communication satellite was announced in August 2008, with a projected cost of US$212 million, news also broke that the two countries had simultaneously signed a deal for a US$200 million construction loan. Likewise, when the Bolivian deal was announced in April this year, media around the world reported that a Chinese loan would cover 85 per cent of the US$300 million project's costs, with the rest of the funding to be provided by the Bolivian government."

"Scouring the Globe For Emerging Risks" from Bloomberg Businessweek

"Vinay Mistry, a member of the Lloyd's of London Exposure Management team, talks about anticipating risks in some very unusual places

Among emerging natural risks, what are you focusing on?

There's space risks. There is a solar cycle, which is a period of about 11 years. It's the sun having a cycle in terms of how much electromagnetic radiation is emitted. We're entering a period of slightly elevated activity. The peak activity will be seen between 2011 and 2013. Electromagnetic radiation in space could impact satellites, but there are also "on earth" risks to ground stations, in terms of providing electricity for networks or grids that supply power to cities. A widespread, prolonged failure of electricity transmission grids would feel like going back in time to the 17th century."

"Like the European nations backing Galileo, China aims for enhanced security from an alternative network of positioning satellites." from South China Morning Post

"China has launched a beta version of its own satellite mapping service called Map World, but users say the product has a long way to go to compete with the Chinese version of Google Maps." from Wall Street Journal

"China launched the sixth satellite of its Beidou-2 programme yesterday, part of an accelerated challenge to US supremacy in providing global positioning services." from South China Morning Post