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863-2 Program

After the "863 Program" was introduced, aerospace set up two expert groups, one large rocket and space shuttles transport system, code 863-204; second manned space station systems and their applications, code 863-205.

In March 1986, the Astronautics Ministry began plan 863-2. It consisted of a manned spacecraft (project 863-204) used for the transport of crews of astronauts on the space station (project 863-205). The astronauts in the training of Chinese media were presented in September of the same year. Manned spacecraft under 863 project were developed and ultimately became Project 921 of 1992.

Shenzhou space group learned that aerospace technology is "863", "High Technology Research and Development Program" in seven areas of the second field is the theme of the project: a large rocket and space shuttles transport system, manned space station systems and their applications . After the "863 Program" was introduced, aerospace set up two expert groups, one large rocket and space shuttles transport system, code 863-204; second manned space station systems and their applications, code 863-205. In 1987 under the former National Defense organization, was formed a "Committee of Experts on Space Technology 863 Plan" and the theme of the project group of experts on the overall program and specific ways to develop China's manned space technology to conduct a comprehensive demonstration.

"863-204" expert group issued "on the big rocket and space shuttles transport system concept and feasibility study," the tender notice in April 1987, in order to select advantageous tender in technology units, according to the requirements of each argumentation manned space program. Department of Space, Aviation Department, the State Board of Education, Chinese Academy of Sciences, the General Staff, National Defense and other systems more than 60 research institutes took part in this big argument, only units of the Department of Space - one, three, five, eight and three other Institute - attended the tender. Due to the scientific community in the technical proof of concept, not much administrative intervention, so the idea is the last in the history of the development of China's space technology before others.

In less than two months time, each bidding unit presented 11 kinds of technical solutions. "863-204" group of experts selected six kinds of programs, asked before the end of June 1988 to complete the technical feasibility reports to participate in the assessment level of experts.

The pace of China's manned space flight in significantly accelerated in early April 1991, the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics in Beijing held a seminar, "embodiment of manned spacecraft project," Manned Space Engineering Research Group completed a joint demonstration in three months time. After aerospace systems require a hospital, five homes, three eight homes were made overall unit based on indicators, requiring further proposed the implementation of their programs in order to select the best. In June, the Committee of Experts 863-2 officially proposed the "on the development of China's manned space flight." The main contents are: overall development blueprint conceived space technology, the development of policy, strategy, objectives and tasks of the three phases; the four tasks and seven manned spacecraft systems engineering; engineering development costs, schedule and organize the implementation of recommendations.

In November, one, five, and eight Institutes of three general Intitute units submitted their manned spacecraft design, some programs more than a foot thick.

January 8, 1992, the Central Committee held its fifth meeting, specializing in the development of China's manned space flight problems. At the meeting, senior technology consultant for the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 75-year-old Ren Xinmin academician, with a 1:10 spaceship model to explain and demonstrate personally, and on behalf of the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics report "on the project of China's manned spacecraft project proposal. " The Central Committee that "the political, economic, technological, military, and many other considerations, the development of China's manned space is immediately necessary", and that China's manned space development should start from a manned spacecraft. The meeting decided on the basis of 863-2 aerospace expert committees and Aerospace last argument, the former National Defense continues to lead all aspects of the organization of experts, in-depth demonstration.

The next day, the former National Defense held a mobilization meeting on organ, and soon set up a demonstration project office. January 12, 1992, held in Beijing Aerospace institutes a second in command of each meeting, and conveyed the central government decided to launch a manned spacecraft on the project.

August 1, 1992, Chinese Premier Li Peng presided over the Central Committee 7th meeting to hear arguments group reported Aerospace and Defense Defense coalition. Content report are: one, seven large-scale systems engineering and technical aspects of the main technical approach, technical specifications, and other key technologies and their solutions. Second, the development stage of the division, scheduling, follow-on task cohesion envisaged time schedule is indisputable 8 Paul 9, Exalted no later than 2002. Third, the proposed budget, the total budget was 90 billion over 10 years to use. Also suggested that due to technical difficulties, the request to the team a little special treatment.

The Central Committee fourteen people attended the meeting, no one objected to the content of reporting, all members agreed that China's manned space flight in three steps. The first step, before 2002 launch two unmanned spacecraft and manned spacecraft, built initially supporting the pilot project, carried out experimental space applications; the second step, around 2007 breakthrough manned spacecraft and spacecraft rendezvous docking technology, launching eight-ton space laboratory, to solve a certain scale, short-term manned space applications; the third step, the construction of 20-ton space station, in solving large-scale, long-term manned space applications issue.

Li said that this is a major event in history in order to be responsible, to be signed by each of the IPCC to take responsibility in the minutes of the meeting, there was one person out abroad, Li asked him to come back after retroactive. He also said that a major issue, the Central Committee set up can not be considered, had reported to the Politburo Standing Committee, the Central to the final decision.

The special committee of the "minutes" preserved above keep such records: "manned spaceflight project is a large-scale cross-century project, which is of great significance, far-reaching effects, is a party, the National of highly responsible people, ask each member of the IPCC and aerospace leadership team members, have expressed an opinion on the minutes of the meeting and solemnly sign.

Attendance: Li Peng, Yao Yilin, Liu Huaqing, Zou, Wang Bingqian, Song Jian, Chi, Cho Nam Qi, Ding Heng high, Zhao Wan, Lin Zongtang, Liu Sui years, Zhou Guangzhou, Liu Huaqiu;

Leave: Gan Ziyu attendance: Liu Zhongli, Li Shizhong, Shen Rong Jun, Liu Jiyuan, Chi Haibin, Hu applied, Wang Yongzhi, Xing Yongning, Xie light, pregnant Guomo, Tushan Cheng, Wang Shouyun, Chen Zhi, Wang Tong industry, Wang Shengtao "followed by each of them agreed signature.

More than 20 days, the CPC Central Committee and the Central Committee, the State Council goes "to carry out the development of China's manned spacecraft project referrals."

September 21, 1992, came the decisive day, the Politburo Standing Committee in Zhongnanhai Qinzheng briefed. Central Advisory committee Yang Shangkun, Wan Li, Bo Yibo also participated. National Defense, Department of Space, to a total of five people, by the Commission of the main Ren Dingheng high and Aerospace Science and Technology Wang Yongzhi, deputy director for the report, draft report has modified the 18 draft. Li said that the Central Committee agreed to do the project, and each person signed to take responsibility. Yang Shangkun said, this list must be a future Hall of Fame.

The first to speak after hearing the report was Li, he said that if enough money, do not bid for the Olympic Games have to do this. At that time, the Standing Committee discussed very enthusiastic, they believe that the project is of great significance, technical solutions, in line with national conditions, manned space flight is a contemporary high-tech, help promote and drive China's technological progress, military buildup, national power. If we do not have "two bombs" to enter the United Nations do?

If there is no place in the high-tech space, a permanent seat on the United Nations we can stay too long? At that time we will mention that this is a symbol of comprehensive national strength, can greatly enhance the sense of national pride and cohesion. Yang Shangkun also emphasized training new views to large projects, he said out of the older generation, "bombs and one satellite", if no new tasks, the team could not complete the replacement of old, will be interrupted. From the height of the Standing Committee of the interests of the state, the nation, the position and height of the people unite, certainly a project launched.

Standing Committee also discussed, if state revenues bad enough funds how to do? Even discussed the use of treasury stock issue, still the gold count the number of treasury. They discussed all morning. Finally decided to catch as the year "two bombs" as grasping manned spaceflight, something may direct reporting center. The meeting was the Thirteenth CPC Central Committee Political Bureau Standing Committee of the 195th meeting, the meeting agreed on the Central Committee "to carry out the development of China's manned spacecraft project referrals."

Whether it is January 1992 the Central Committee agreed to implement the manned space program, or September 21, 1992 the Politburo Standing Committee approved the project launched in time happens to have a "921" three figures, these three figures for China the fate of manned spaceflight have a decisive significance. Then, the "921" figure like "863", as in China's history has left a monumental milestones mark.