China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
Name	China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
Native name	中国航天科技集团有限公司
Type	State-owned enterprise
Industry	Aerospace, Defense
Founded	01 July 1999
Founder	State Council of the People's Republic of China
Hq location	Beijing, China
Key people	Wu Yansheng (Chairman)
Products	Launch vehicles, Spacecraft, Satellites, Missile systems
Owner	State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council
Num employees	~180,000

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. It is a state-owned conglomerate and the primary contractor for the China National Space Administration (CNSA), serving as the main force for developing the country's space program and missile systems. Established in 1999 as part of a major restructuring of China's defense industry, the corporation has been instrumental in executing landmark missions like the Chang'e lunar probes and the Tiangong space station. It oversees a vast industrial ecosystem encompassing research, design, manufacturing, and launch services for a comprehensive portfolio of space and defense products.

History

The corporation's origins trace back to the foundational work of the Fifth Academy of the Ministry of National Defense, established in 1956 under the leadership of renowned scientist Qian Xuesen, often called the "father of Chinese rocketry". This academy evolved into the Seventh Ministry of Machine Building, which managed China's early ballistic missile and satellite programs, achieving milestones like the launch of the Dong Fang Hong I satellite in 1970. Following reforms initiated by Deng Xiaoping, the aerospace industry was reorganized, leading to the formal creation of the corporation in July 1999, which consolidated the core research institutes and manufacturing facilities from the former China Aerospace Corporation. This restructuring aimed to enhance efficiency and competitiveness, paving the way for accelerated progress in projects such as the Shenzhou program and the development of the Long March rocket series.

Organization and structure

The corporation operates under the direct supervision of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC). Its organizational framework includes numerous major research academies and production bases, such as the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) in Beijing and the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST). Key subsidiaries also encompass the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), the primary satellite and spacecraft builder, and entities like the China Spacesat Co., Ltd., which manages commercial satellite applications. The corporation maintains several large-scale production and testing facilities, including those in Tianjin, Xi'an, and Chengdu, forming an integrated national network for aerospace manufacturing.

Major projects and achievements

The corporation has been the chief implementer of China's most ambitious space projects. Its crowning achievements include the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program, which successfully deployed the Yutu rovers and completed sample-return missions from the Moon. It is the prime contractor for the Tiangong space station, having constructed and launched the Tianhe core module and subsequent laboratory modules. Other historic milestones overseen by the corporation encompass the first Chinese crewed spaceflight with Yang Liwei aboard Shenzhou 5, the development of the Beidou Navigation Satellite System as a rival to the American Global Positioning System (GPS), and the successful landing of the Zhurong rover on Mars as part of the Tianwen-1 mission.

Launch vehicles

The corporation's workhorse launch vehicle family is the Long March series, developed by its subsidiary academies like CALT. This family includes models ranging from the small-lift Long March 2 to the heavy-lift Long March 5, which is critical for launching space station modules and deep-space probes. Newer, more commercially competitive models include the Long March 7 and the Long March 8. The corporation is also developing next-generation rockets, such as the fully reusable Long March 9 super-heavy-lift launch vehicle intended for future crewed lunar landing missions, and has conducted test flights for commercial rockets like the Smart Dragon series through its affiliate China Rocket Co., Ltd..

Spacecraft and satellites

Its spacecraft portfolio is vast, covering crewed spacecraft like the Shenzhou and the next-generation manned vehicle, cargo spacecraft such as the Tianzhou, and deep-space probes including the Chang'e 5 lunar sampler and the Tianwen-1 Mars orbiter. In satellites, it produces a wide array for remote sensing, communications, and scientific research, such as the Gaofen series for Earth observation and the satellites for the Beidou Navigation Satellite System. Advanced technology demonstrators like the Shijian series and reusable experimental spacecraft are also key products of its research institutes.

International cooperation

While primarily serving national programs, the corporation engages in selective international partnerships, often through its commercial launch services arm, China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC). It has launched satellites for numerous countries, including Pakistan, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Laos, and provides launch services on the Long March rockets for international clients. The corporation has collaborated with entities like the European Space Agency (ESA) on missions such as the Double Star program and has agreements with Russia on space technology. It also promotes the Beidou system globally and participates in multilateral forums under the auspices of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).

Category:State-owned companies of China Category:Aerospace companies Category:Space agencies