BEIJING, June 14 (Xinhua) -- China plans to launch in September the third earth resources satellite jointly developed by China and Brazil, said Sun Laiyan, director of the China National Space Administration here Thursday.

    Satellite 02B will be soon moved into a space environment simulator and go through a number of tests, said Sun.

    Before returning to China in April this year, the satellite underwent a series of tests at the Brazilian National Space Research Institute (INPE).

    These included electromagnetic interference tests, and tests to detect propellant leaks.

    China and Brazil have cooperated on space projects for 19 years. Satellites 01 and 02 jointly developed by the two countries were launched in 1999 and 2003 respectively.

    China and Brazil have also agreed to develop satellite 03 and 04 and launch satellite 03 in 2009.

    The satellites will be used to gather information on the Earth's environment, agriculture, urban development planning and water pollution.