• Forum
• SITREP
• Military
• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security

• Space

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Public Eye

Expert on China's space program

(Xinhua) 21 November 1999

The successful launch of the first experimental spacecraft once again demonstrates that China is fully capable of independently mastering the most advanced technology, said a leading expert in charge of the manned spaceflight project.

China deserves a place in the world in the area of high technology, said the head of China's Manned Spaceflight Program.

The expert said that the success was the fruit of concerted efforts by the whole nation.

He said that the development of manned spaceflight technology ushered in a new era for mankind to enter into the outer space and has been the focus of attention within the international space circles.

It is significant for China to develop manned spaceflight technology, the expert said, as it will strengthen the country's comprehensive national strength, promote the development of science and technology, enhance national prestige, boost the nation's sense of pride and cohesiveness.

China started preliminary studies of manned spaceflight technology as soon as it was in command of technologies on launching, monitoring and controlling low-earth recoverable satellites, earth-synchronous communication satellites and solar- synchronous meteorological satellites.

Based on feasibility studies both technologically and economically, the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee with Jiang Zemin at the core decided to carry out China's own manned spaceflight project in 1992. Practice has demonstrated that the decision is "absolutely correct," said the expert.

The successful test flight demonstrates that China's spacecraft and new carrier rocket are excellent in performance, said the expert, and the newly-developed spacecraft launching site and spaceflight monitoring and controlling networks have reached the world's advanced level.

Various experiments conducted during the mission on space remote sensing, environment monitoring, space materials, life science, astronomy and physics also helped expand China's use of the space for peaceful purposes, he said.

According to the expert, China's manned spaceflight program, which started in 1992, has achieved the expected results thanks to the strong support of all departments and localities concerned.

The research and construction work shows China's distinct characteristics and technological advancement. Chinese scientists and engineers carried forward the country's mature space technology and actively explored for ways to develop manned spaceflight according to China's own situation.

In carrying out the program, Chinese scientists have resolved many key technological problems and mastered a lot of new technologies and new techniques, which helps improve the country's overall level of space technology and relevant technologies and promote the development of related sciences and technologies.

The implementation of the program has also provided good opportunities for young scientists and engineers to improve themselves, thus trained a contingent of space science workers for the next century, he said.

A number of facilities that have been built for the manned spaceflight project also lay a solid material and technological foundation for the sustained development of China's space industry.

The well organized and coordinated implementation of the program has also enabled China to accumulate a wealth of managerial expertise in developing large spaceflight projects, he said.

The expert said it is the Chinese government's persistent stand to make use of the outer space for peaceful purposes and for the benefits of mankind. Based on today's maiden flight, China will conduct@unmanned test flights before putting its astronauts in space, he said.