China will launch some 30 satellites and several other spacecraft
during the next five years.
According to sources
from relevant departments, the 30 satellites cover 15 different
categories including communication, positioning, meteorology,
and earth resource observation as well as space exploration.
Statistics show
that since China's maiden satellite launch in April 1970,
73 more satellites have been sent into space, of which, 47
were made in China. Total launch success rate was over 90
percent.
China is expected
to witness faster growth in the space industry in the 21st
century. Starting from next year, China will launch several
unmanned spacecraft before putting manned spacecraft into
orbit.
Astronauts are
currently being trained in China and relevant experiments
are being conducted, sources noted.
China has made
considerable progress in the space industry, which, in return,
has greatly contributed to the national economic development
and scientific and technological advancement.
In 1992, China
kicked off an ambitious space program to develop manned spacecraft.
In November 1999, the first unmanned experimental spacecraft,
"Shenzhou", was successfully launched.
(People's Daily
12/14/2000)
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