Argentina counts on new satellite technology to guard forests day and night

An aerial view shows a deforested plot of the Amazon near Porto Velho, Rondonia State, Brazil. A UN report published in 2015 identified Argentina as one of the 10 most deforested countries in the world. — Reuters

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina plans to put into orbit a satellite with new precision technology in the coming days, to monitor felling of its native forests round the clock and accurately measure forest carbon stocks in a bid to help curb climate change, scientists said.

The SAOCOM 1B satellite, manufactured in the South American country, is due to be launched between July 25 and 30 from Cape Canaveral in Florida, managed by experts from Argentina's National Commission for Space Activities (CONAE).