The Cbers-2B, or Sino-Brazilian Earth Resources Satellite, will be an exact copy of the Cbers-2 launched in China one year ago.

"Cbers-2's useful life will expire in 2005 and in order not to find ourselves without this satellite's coverage, Brazil and China have signed a protocol of intention to develop a replica, the Cbers-2B, a spokesman for the Brazilian Space Agency told AFP.

Brazil will pick up 30 percent of construction costs of the new satellite, and China, 70 percent, said a spokesman for the Brazilian Institute for Space Exploration, adding that Brazil's share would come to between 35 million and 45 million dollars.

China and Brazil have been cooperating on the development of Earth observation satellites since 1998 and have so far placed two in orbit -- the Cbers-1 in 1999 and the Cbers-2 in 2003. The total construction cost of the two satellites was 300 million dollars, 30 percent paid by Brazil, 70 percent by China.

The satellites are used in the observation of and planning for urban expansion, to formulate resource conservation strategy, detect river and ocean pollution and monitor deforestation.

Brazil and China are to sign within 30 days a protocol for the sale of satellite imagery, the agency said.

"There are interested countries in Europe and there is also interest in the United States, but nothing has yet been negotiated,' said the institute spokesman.

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