China, People's Republic of

Space technology is a comprehensive engineering technology with which people have been carrying out space activities, and conducting the exploration and use of outer space. It is one of the technologies, which has the highest influence in the current hi-tech group. It has enlarged the scope of human activities from the earth to outer space and has thoroughly changed the way of thinking, the way of production and the life style of people. Since the first artificial satellite was sent into space, space technology has continuously infiltrated into every area of human activity. Space application has become an indispensable part in the modern information society, and the development of space technology has brought a new thinking for the world's science and technology development. The development history of space technology shows that it is not only an inspiring technological achievement, but also an important means to improve people's life quality, expand their living space and develop new resources. Meanwhile, the development and application level of aerospace technology has also become an important mark of national comprehensive strength and civilization of one country.

As an important part of the world's aerospace industry, China's aerospace industry has made active contributions to the development of the world's aerospace industry. China's aerospace industry has promoted the sustainable development of economy and society, brought along the complete progress of our science and technology, improved the defense strength, comprehensive national power and the international position of our country. It has also made great contribution to the foundation for our country, as a powerful country, to stand in the world in the second half of the 20th century.

China has successfully designed and manufactured the LM series of launch vehicles, various kinds of application satellites, science experimental satellites and spaceships. Technologies for the development of launch vehicles and satellites have become more and more mature, the science research and manufacture equipment has been perfected, the system engineering management is in good order. Now we have basically established space science and technology industry system with system design, final assembling and system testing as its main part and the system also has important, necessary and complete subsystems. China's recoverable satellite platform, communication satellite platform, meteorological satellite platform, earth observation satellite platform, science experimental small satellite platform and the LM launch vehicle family have achieved series of successes and can meet various demands of domestic and foreign launching services. They have laid a solid foundation for the transfer of space technology into production forces, national economic construction and defence construction and made important contribution to them.

China's remote sensing satellite ground application system receiving network covers whole China including its land and seas and can process and distribute the remote sensing satellite data at home and abroad, and its divisions spread all over the country. At present, the meteorological satellite has become an indispensable way to make weather analysis and forecast. The resource satellite remote sensing data has been widely used in many sectors of national economy such as geological prospecting, mineral and land survey, forestry, grassland and desertification monitor, agricultural yield estimation, project plan, disaster and environmental monitor and assessment, etc..

China's broadcast and television coverage rate has increased from 68.4% in 1985 to 90% now. The special VSAT network has been widely established in such departments as post and telecommunications, finance, meteorology, news, transportation, petroleum, water conservancy, electricity, meteorology, etc.. The satellite TV long distance medical network has been established and put into operation and the long distance education system has reached quite large scale. The broadcast communications satellite is contributing to "Every village to get broadcast communications services", the development of the west part of China and the development of information technology in other areas.
The application of the satellite navigation position system has rapidly developed in China, which has been widely used in the field of sea, river and ground transportation.

In the 21st century China is focusing on enhancing the macroscopic management and policy guidance of space development. In the organizational structure reform of the State Council, the governmental agency has enhanced the management of China's aerospace industry and united the three large areas including space technology, space application and space science under China Aerospace Flag. The united plan, united policy, united regulations and especially the consideration of space-ground integration will be sure to promote the order, high efficient and health development of China's space technology. .