CBERS 4 at China Academy of Space Technology’s (CAST) facility. Photo: AEB

[Via Satellite 09-18-2014] Beijing-based China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) has completed the Final Design Review (FDR) of the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite 4 (CBERS 4) in collaboration with Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE).

The completed FDR paves the way for a December launch aboard a Long March 4B rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center (TSLC). China and Brazil agreed to accelerate the schedule of the joint-satellite following the Dec. 9 2013 launch failure that claimed CBERS 3. Engineers completed the satellite in one year instead of two.

CBERS 4 is scheduled to arrive at TSLC on Oct. 16, where it will undergo a final Satellite Readiness Review (SRR) in November. China and Brazil have agreed to a follow-up satellite, CBERS 4A as well as the potential to continue the program with further satellites.