Myanmar joins band of Asian nations launching satellites

A mock rocket displayed on the campus of the Myanmar Aerospace Engineering University in Meiktila. - AFP

MEIKTILA, Myanmar (AFP): Myanmar is preparing to launch its first-ever satellite, joining an unlikely coalition of nascent space nations aiming to protect millions from environmental disasters.

The future "super constellation" of micro-satellites from nine Asian countries will track typhoons, seismic activity and water flows, as well as provide data on land use, the growth of crops and disease outbreaks.