Satellites of many countries aiding search

China has been given access to nearly 700 satellite images from other countries in the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, after invoking an international charter agreement designed to pool space resources in time of need, the China National Space Administration said.

The administration called for help under the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters on March 11, three days after the flight disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, and coordinated satellites owned by various nations, including the United States, France, United Kingdom and Germany, to examine areas where the ill-fated plane could be.

It was the first time the charter had been invoked to coordinate assorted corporate, national space agency and international satellite assets to search for an aircraft.