Chinas BeijingAstronomical Observatory has released details of the planned space telescopeproject, according to analyst Chen Lan in Hong Kong.

The two-ton satellite is tobe boosted aboard a Long March 4B rocket in 2004-2005. Lan says it will carry a1 meter diameter telescope with a charged couple device camera to take images.The optics system is being designed with help from Russia.

A solar telescope launchedaboard a balloon will be sent aloft next month to gather experience and helprefine the space telescope idea. Lan says the rocket originally planned for thetelescope will be used instead on the manned space capsule program, Project 921.