China launched its first satellite Dongfanghong-1 ("East Is Red") on the evening of April 24, 1970. With the successful launch, China followed in the footsteps of the former Soviet Union, the United States, France and Japan to become the fifth nation to possess its own launching capability.

A selection committee has judged the historic launch as the most important event in the Chinese space program.

Chinese space technology has gone through five major transformations in the past thirty years, according to Xu Fuxiang, Director of the Chinese Academy of Space Technology (CAST). These include:

• satellite models evolving from a single model to a variety of models;
• satellite research and manufacturing technologies moving from exploratory to maturity;
• satellite use widening from scientific research to broad service applications uses in mainstream society;
• satellite research and manufacturing operations changing from a small scale experimental nature to a modernized and scientific approach; and
• space technologies development opening up from a closed system

Last November China took the first step in its manned space program after the successful launch of the Shenzhou ("Magic Vessel") capsule.

CAST, the largest satellite manufacturer in China, currently has four different series of space platforms available: medium capacity communications satellite, reentry satellite, Earth observation satellite, and minisatellite.

Growing reliability and maturity in the development of Chinese space technologies is evidenced by recent successful launches, which include the Shijian-5 ("Practice") microgravity fluid and space physics spacecraft, the joint Brazil-China Ziyuan-1 ("Resource") remote sensing satellite, and the maiden flight of the Shenzhou manned capsule.

Xu told the news agency that CAST would begin research to develop satellites in large capacity communications, navigation and positioning, and application such as disaster mitigation.

He anticipated that the new research would result in breakthroughs in communications speed and bandwidth, and reception techniques and reliability. By 2010 China might have 2 or 3 integrated space-terrestrial satellite applications networks.

In addition to satellite technologies research and development, CAST will further its work on manned spaceflight technologies as the lead unit in the program.

Xu also said that in future development CAST would collaborate extensively with similar departments or organizations in other countries.

The collaboration may include joint research and fabrication of satellites; supply of complete satellites or components; piggyback delivery of payload on CAST satellites or retrieving satellite service; testing spacecraft in simulated space environment; designing, developing and manufacturing of satellite ground networks.

DRAGON SPACE
China Opens Space Entrepreneurial Research Centre In Shanghai
by Wei Long
Beijing - April 14, 2000 - The first official post-doctoral space entrepreneurial research centre was established in Shanghai last week, Xinhua news agency reported.