CASC Released First Blue Book of China Aerospace Science and Technology Activities

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation(CASC) ranks No.1 in the number of world's space launches in 2018 with its record-breaking 37 launches, and the second place in the number of spacecraft deployments. China's space launch capacity has increased greatly. On January 29, 2019,CASC released its first Blue Book of China Aerospace Science and Technology Activities (2018). The blue book counted the space activities in 2018 and showed the latest development and achievements of China within the world space trend, China's space launch activities, technological innovations, application services, international cooperation and commercial space growth.

Rich Achievements

CASC set a new record in space launches in 2018, accounting for about a third of the global space launches, launching 103 spacecraft into orbit. The manned spaceflight program entered its space station construction phase as the first hot firing test of the propulsion system for the lab module was completed and the new-generation manned spaceship progress well. The lunar exploration activity achieved a major breakthrough in human history, when the Chang'e 4 probe completed the first soft landing and rovering on the far side of the moon, which demonstrates major scientific and technology innovation. 18 BeiDou satellites were launched in 2018, enabling the basic Bei-Dou 3 system to finish deployment and transition to operation,providing officially a global service. The construction of the High Resolution Earth Observation System achieved rich results as system scale and ability reached a world advanced level establishing a full spectrum of satellites and application systems which are autonomous and controllable. The development of the heavy-lift launch vehicle and new generation medium launch vehicle also has made major progress. The Chinasat-16 high throughput satellite (HTS) was put into operation. The maiden satellite in Hongyan constellation was launched, offering support for construction of “Broadband China” and establishing the country as a cyber power. The first astronomy observation satellite, the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope, also called Insight has been delivered officially and put into operation, which promotes the growth of high energy astronomy field. The Zhang Heng 1 satellite entered its orbit successfully, greatly accelerating the construction of an earthquake observation system.

Wide Applications

By 2018, China had over 200 communications, navigation and remote sensing satellites operating in orbit, which effectively promoted the growth of all disciplines, while the space infrastructure has been further perfected. The first HTS satellite Chinasat-16 uses a Ka-band multi-beam broadband communications system for the first time, which enables the realization of a 4G network application in Tibet based on Ka-band broadband satellite communications as well as providing Wi-Fi and Micro Cell services. In the maritime application field, over 6000 fishing ships have installed the BeiDou-based ship dynamic monitoring system, achieving an all-weather real-time signal transmission and strengthened the positioning accuracy and timeliness for fishing ships. At present, more than 6.17 million road vehicles,35 thousand postal and courier vehicles, about 80 thousand public buses and 370 transport official ships in 36 central cities have installed or are compatible with the BeiDou system. The domestic-made air transport aircraft also are equipped with the BeiDou system. The combination of high performance satellites and new generation information technology has formed a space-ground integration system for satellite applications. By means of satellite applications cross series and constellations as well as combination of data resources and multi-center collaborative services, a scale space information comprehensive service of various types, with high quality, stability and reliability are offered to all disciplines and bring huge economic and social benefits.

The first satellite of Hongyan constellation is being put into space Photo: ZHOU Zixi

Mode Optimization

Various commercial space projects, focusing around industrial chain links, such as satellite manufacturing, launch service,satellite operation and ground facilities were carried out through 2018. There progress and technical breakthroughs provided an important compliment for China's space system construction and capability development. China's low-orbit broadband communications satellite system has taken a substantial step forward, participating in the construction of the space information corridor in support of connectivity among nations along the Belt and Road Initiative through business mode innovation. The first satellite in Hongyan Constellation was launched successfully and it is expected that the backbone constellation system will be established in 2022, supplying global call, data acquisition and seamless internet access services. LM-11 has conducted several commercial launches, launching multiple satellites with one launch and provided dedicated and rideshare launch services for commercial satellites, instead of just the piggyback launch service from before. The operation of the first Ka-band HTS satellite Chinasat-16 has allowed users onboard airplanes and ships as well as working in the field to experience internet surfing as that used with the mobile 4G network on the ground.

CASC in 2019

2019 is the 20th anniversary of CASC. After creating a record of 37 launches last year, CASC will carry out over 30 launches in 2019, sending more than 50 spacecraft into orbit.The LM-5B for the manned spaceflight program has entered its flight test phase. The development of core module of the Chinese space station continues smoothly on schedule followed by rehearsals at the launch site and preparation for its maiden flight. The LM-5 launch vehicle will return to flight. Chang'e 5,with new technologies and complicated systems, is the symbolic mission in the third phase of the lunar exploration program,which will realize the first lunar sample return for China. 10 BeiDou satellites will be launched on 7 flights in 2019, laying a solid foundation for completing the global network construction in 2020. The GF-7 satellite in the High Resolution Earth Observation System is scheduled to be launched. The LM-11 launch vehicle will carry out its maiden launch mission from the sea, and Jie Long 1 carrier rocket for commercial space launch is ready for its first launch. The Hongyan Constellation will have successive test demonstrations in 2019. Various civilian and commercial space launch and development projects have been approved and will be conducted in parallel while the civilian space infrastructure has sped up implementation. (CASC)