IT Examiner November 05, 2008
Chinese company wins lucrative satellite deal
By Aharon Etengoff
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) has announced plans to launch at least 5 satellites over the next 6 years.
CASC reportedly signed a deal with China DBSAT to launch two communications satellites - SinoSat-5 (in 2011) and SinoSat-6 (in 2010) aboard Long March-3B rockets from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. Both satellites are expected to have a 15-year lifespan.
CASC has also signed a deal to develop three FY-3 satellites for the State Meteorological Administration. The units will be launched in 2010, 2012 and 2014.
It should be noted that China launched its first lunar probe in October. The country is also slated to send a satellite to Mars, which will analyse solar winds as well as magnetic fields on the planet.
"The move signifies China has made a solid leap forward in Mars exploration," explained Wang Li of CASC.
According to GlobalSecurity, CASC is a large Chinese state-owned enterprise that operates under the auspices of the State Council. The company is apparently capable of developing and launching low earth orbit (LEO), geostationary and sun-synchronous rockets. CASC ranks among the world's most advanced in a number of sectors, such as high energy propellant technology, strap-on boosters and the launch of multiple satellites atop a single rocket.
Over 130 organizations are subordinate to CASC, including the Chinese Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), Chinese Academy of Space Technology (CAST), Shanghai Academy of Space Flight Technology (SAST), Chinese Academy of Space Electronic Technology (CASET) and the Academy of Space Chemical Propulsion Technology.
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