The government yesterday unveiled an ambitious blueprint for
aerospace development in the next five years, just days before the
launch of China's first lunar orbiter scheduled for next week.
It is the first overall plan for aerospace development in
China.
Released by the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry
for National Defense (COSTIND) for the 11th Five-Year Plan
(2006-10), the plan has outlined nine major missions for aerospace
development.
Comprehensive details are yet to be announced, but the nine
missions to be fulfilled by 2010 are:
To enhance the capabilities of scientific research on space
products, and shorten the current research cycle
To implement key scientific and technological projects,
including manned flight, the Moon probe, the high resolution
Earth-observation system, the Compass Navigation Satellite System,
and the new generation of carrier rockets
To improve innovation capabilities, and overcome key technical
difficulties such as satellite payloads and deep-space
exploration
To fasten the development of space technology, expand the
application of satellites, and kick off research projects to make
space products more accountable and longer lasting.
To optimize the structure of the space industry, form a complete
industrial chain from satellite manufacturing to projection and
application, and promote satellite exports
To continue research on space science and establish the space
environment monitoring and forecasting system.
To strengthen industrial management and create a good
environment for space development
To strengthen education and foster talent
To strengthen international exchanges and cooperation.
The release of the development blueprint not only coincides with
the ongoing 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China
(CPC), but also is just a few days ahead of the launch of the Moon
orbiter, Chang'e I.
Earlier reports said the launch at Xichang Satellite Launching
Center had been set for next Wednesday evening, about 6 pm.
But COSTIND said yesterday that it will hold a press conference
on Monday to announce the final decision of the launch time.
Xinhua News Agency quoted Zhang Qingwei, minister in charge of
COSTIND, who is attending the Party Congress, saying that his team
had nearly finished pre-launch tests on the rocket and orbiter,
which have been transported to the launch site.
Advanced cameras and X-ray spectrometers have been installed in
the orbiter for mapping three-dimensional images of the lunar
surface, analyzing dust on the Moon, and studying the space
environment between Earth and the Moon, he said.
The Moon orbiter will travel about eight days before entering
orbit.
Zhang said October was chosen instead of April, another
appropriate time for launch, because of better weather and
celestial conditions.
(China Daily October 19, 2007)