China Space Military：Recon, Satcom, Navi, ASAT/BMD, Orbital Vehicle, SLV, etc.

[onebyone]

Heavenly vessel: China’s Shenzhou-11 ready for liftoff


Joshua Barlow

Tiangong-2 space lab, launched last month.

Learn more about the Tiangong-2 space lab

This will be the sixth manned mission for China’s rapidly expanding space program. If all goes according to plan, the 30 day stay aboard the Tiangong-2 will more than double the national record for longest time in space for its astronauts.

While the previous two Shenzhou missions in 2012 and 2013 carried three astronauts, the crew size for this mission was reduced to extend duration upon the Tiangong-2. The identities of the two astronauts will most likely be revealed just before launch.


The crew of Shenzhou-9, including Liu Yang, China’s first woman in space, training in 2012. (Courtesy: CSAC)

Shenzhou-11’s mission to the Tiangong-2 will give astronauts an opportunity to test onboard systems aboard the space lab, including life support, computers, propulsion, and lab equipment. They will also commence experiments in the research section of the craft. These initial activities are designed to help China move toward its goal of a modular and much larger permanent space station, Tianhe-1, which is slated to be launched sometime in 2018.

“This is going to provide evidence of astronauts’ long-term stay in space for the development of China’s space station in the future,” Lei Fanpei, chairman of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) told CCTV.

The Tiangong-2 is considered to be a working prototype for the upcoming modular space station, which aims to be China’s most ambitious venture in orbital technology to date.


In March Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China’s human space program stated the Chinese space station project will include three modules, two 30m solar panel ‘wings’, two robotic arms and a Hubble-class telescope. The Tianhe-1 will be the core module for that station, which will join with two other modules in the following years. The final orbital assenbly is expected to be complete by 2022.


Tiangong-2 is a working prototype for Tianhe-1, the core module for China’s first modular space station which will be launched around 2018.




The docking of Shenzhou-11 with Tiangong-2 will take place approximately two days after Sunday’s liftoff, when both vehicles are in compatible orbit.

The Chinese word Shenzhou translates to “heavenly vessel” in English. Tiangong translates to “heavenly palace.”


Many were on hand Monday as the Long March 2F rocket with Shenzhou-11 atop was moved from its hangar to the launch pad at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre.

Shenzhou-11 on social media

What comes next?
The Shenzhou-11 mission will be followed in April by the unmanned Tianzhou-1 cargo vessel, which will test refueling systems at the Tiangong-2. These systems are considered crucial for sustaining future space stations over the long term.

The Tiangong-2 and Shenzhou-11 launches take place in a period of rapid development and activity for China’s space program – with a total of 20 launches scheduled for 2016 alone. Earlier in the year saw deployment of QUESS, the world’s first quantum communications satellite, Ziyuan-3-II remote sensing satellite, the Yaogan-30 military satellite, the Shijian-10 retrievable microgravity space science probe in April, three Beidou satellites in February, March and June, and the Belintersat-1 communications satellite to geosynchronous orbit for Belarus in January.

In addition, plans were released for Chang’e-4, the world’s first mission to land on the far side of the Moon set for late 2018. Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands will contribute payloads to this mission. Chang’e-4 will launch after a relay satellite is placed in synchronous orbit beyond the Moon to allow communication.


The far side of the Moon, as seen by China’s Chang’e-5-T1 test mission launched in 2014 (Courtesy: SASTIND)

The year 2016 also marks the 46th anniversary of China’s space program, which was celebrated on its first ever “Space Day” April 24th. The occasion was also used to announce a planned Mars probe around 2020, which aims to reach the planet in 2021 when the Communist Party of China marks its centenary.


http://www.cctv-america.com/2016/10/14/heavenly-vessel-chinas-shenzhou-11-ready-for-liftoff

The heavenly palace: Countdown to China's Tiangong-2 space lab

China's Shenzhou-11 mission

 

[JSCh]

Jing Haipeng, Chen Dong to carry out China's Shenzhou-11 mission
Source: Xinhua | 2016-10-16 10:40:42 | Editor: huaxia

​

Chinese astronauts Jing Haipeng (L) and Chen Dong meet the media at a press conference at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Oct. 16, 2016. The two male astronauts will carry out the Shenzhou-11 mission. The Shenzhou-11 manned spacecraft will be launched at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 17, 2016 Beijing Time (2330 GMT Oct. 16). (Xinhua/Li Gang)

JIUQUAN, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese astronauts Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong will carry out the Shenzhou-11 mission, a spokesperson said Sunday.

The 50-year-old Jing will be commander of the mission, Wu Ping, deputy director of China's manned space engineering office, told a press conference.

The two male astronauts will board the Shenzhou-11 spacecraft early Monday at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Wu said.

The spacecraft will dock with orbiting space lab Tiangong-2 within two days and the astronauts will stay in the space lab for 30 days before returning to Earth, the spokesperson said.

It will be Jing's third spaceflight following his Shenzhou-7 mission in 2008 and Shenzhou-9 mission in 2012.

With a safe flight record of 1,500 hours as an air force pilot, Chen became China's second group of astronauts in May 2010, and was selected as a crew member of the Shenzhou-11 mission in June 2016, Wu said.

Born in central China's Henan Province in 1978, it is the first time for Chen to carry out such a mission as a crew member of China's manned spacecraft.

 

[onebyone]

Shenzhou 11 Ascent Profile

 

[kuge]

http://english.cctv.com/live/

 

[JSCh]

Monday, October 17, 2016, 09:44
Xi congratulates crew on Shenzhou-11 launch
By Xinhua & Agencies

The 11th Long March II F carrier rocket lifts off with the Shenzhou-11 manned spacecraft at 7:30 am Oct 17, 2016 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. (Photo / Xinhua)

JIUQUAN - Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of congratulations on the successful launch of theShenzhou-11 manned spacecraft on Monday.

Xi expressed congratulations and greetings to all researchers and staff engaged in the mission as well as the astronauts.

The mission of the orbiting space lab Tiangong-2 and the Shenzhou-11 manned spacecraft marks the first time that Chinese astronauts will stay in orbit for medium term, Xi said in the message.

Tasks of space science and application representing the frontier science and the future of high technology will be conducted during the mission, which Xi said symbolizes that China's manned space program has registered new and significant progresses.

Xi urged staff of the mission to carry on their work to guarantee that designated targets will be realized. He also encouraged them to "constantly break new ground for the manned space program, so that Chinese people will take bigger steps and march further in space probe, to make new contribution to the building of China into a space power."

Xi sent the message from the western Indian state of Goa where he attended the eighth summit of the emerging-market bloc of BRICS, which groups Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Space program commander-in-chief Gen. Zhang Youxia declared the launch a success at 7:46 am. Defense Minister Fan Changlong then read the congratulatory message from President Xi.

Premier Li Keqiang and Liu Yunshan, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, visited the Beijing control center to congratulate staff. It is the sixth time China has launched astronauts into space and the duration will be the longest by far.

Following the attachment of two experiment modules, the completed station is set to begin full operations in 2022 and will run for at least a decade.

An earlier Tiangong 1 experimental space station launched in 2011 went out of service in March after docking with three visiting spacecraft and extending its mission for two years. The Tiangong, or "Heavenly Palace," stations are considered stepping stones to a mission to Mars by the end of the decade.

The Shenzhou 11 astronauts are Jing Haipeng, who is flying his third mission, and 37-year-old Chen Dong.

"It is any astronaut's dream and pursuit to be able to perform many space missions," Jing, who turns 50 during his time in space, told a briefing Sunday.

China conducted its first crewed space mission in 2003, becoming only the third country after Russia and the U. to do so, and has since staged a spacewalk and landed its Yutu rover on the moon. Administrators suggest a crewed landing on the moon may also be in the program's future.

China's space program also opened its massive fourth spacecraft launch site at Wenchang on China's southernmost island province of Hainan in June. It was inaugurated with the launch of the newly developed Long March 7 rocket that was hailed as a breakthrough in the use of safer, more environmentally friendly fuels.

China is currently developing the Long March 5 heavy-lift rocket needed to launch the Tiangong 2's additional components and other massive payloads.

China also plans to land a rover on Mars by 2020.

A source of enormous national pride, China's space program plans a total of 20 missions this year.

 

[Beast]

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-37670842

The astronauts took off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northern China.

They will dock with the experimental Tiangong 2 space lab and spend 30 days there, the longest stay in space by Chinese astronauts.

This and previous launches are seen as pointers to possible crewed missions to the Moon or Mars.

An earlier Tiangong - or Heavenly Palace - space station was decommissioned earlier this year after docking with three rockets.

The astronauts on this latest mission were Jing Haipeng, 49, who has already been to space twice, and 37-year-old Chen Dong.
Source of considerable pride - Stephen McDonell, BBC News, Jiuquan
From a remote launching station in Inner Mongolia I'm watching as a rocket tears through the sky. It will take the astronauts about two days to reach the orbiting laboratory where they will live for a month.

While on board the pair will carry out experiments including an examination of plant growth in space. They'll also use ultrasound equipment to test their own bodies.

This mission is a source of considerable national pride here. So much so that even the foreign media has been allowed into this military base to view the launch.

Their spacecraft, Shenzhou-11, took off from at 07:30 local time on Monday (23:30 GMT), lifted by a Long March-2F rocket.

The astronauts will spend the next month conducting experiments on the Tiangong 2.

Image copyrightAP
Image captionA Chinese rocket carried the space station into orbit in September

Image copyrightAP
Image captionThe astronauts Jin Haipeng (R) and Chen Dong will spend 30 days in space
In a congratulatory statement to the astronauts carried by state media, President Xi Jinping said he hoped they "vigorously advance the spirit of space travel".

He added that the mission would "enable China to take larger and further steps in space exploration, and make new contributions to building up China as a space power."

China has poured in significant funding and efforts into its space programme, and plans to launch at least 20 space missions this year.

It is only the third country - after Russia and the US - to carry out its own crewed missions. In 2013 it successfully landed its un-crewed Yutu, or Jade Rabbit, rover on the Moon.

It was excluded from the International Space Station due to concerns over the military nature of its space ambitions.

China has since embarked on plans to create its own permanent space station, expanding Tiangong 2 over the next few years by sending up additional modules. It is expected to be fully operational by 2022.

Authorities said last month that its predecessor, Tiangong 1, was due to crash back to Earth in 2017.

 

[Jason Zhao]

Brothers, I am sorry it is busy, I will come back later to reply you for my last thread.

Our Spaceman is on the way!!

Welcome to China, let's together to space!!!

 

[niaz]

Congratulations to our Chinese members. Indeed a great technical achievement.

 

[Deino]

Brothers, I am sorry it is busy, I will come back later to reply you for my last thread.

Our Spaceman is on the way!!

Welcome to China, let's together to space!!!

But please do not start another thread ... we already have a dedicated Space-thread.

Topics merged.

Deino

 

[yantong1980]

Congrats! further step to deep space.

 

[JSCh]

Wednesday, October 19, 2016, 09:28
Shenzhou-11 docks with space station
By Xinhua

This photo taken on Oct 19, 2016 shows Chinese astronauts of Shenzhou-11 Jing Haipeng (left) and Chen Dongshun greeting the people of the nation from the Tiangong-2 space lab. (Photo / Xinhua)

BEIJING – The two astronauts aboard the Shenzhou-11 spacecraft entered the space lab Tiangong-2 at 6:32 Wednesday morning (Beijing time), according to Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC).

Commander of the mission Jing Haipeng opened the hatch of Tiangong-2 and floated into the space lab, followed by Chen Dong.

The two astronauts extended greetings to all the people of the nation in the space lab, and checked the status of the space complex formed by Shenzhou-11 and Tiangong-2.

Before entering the space lab, the two astronauts entered Shenzhou-11's orbital compartment and removed their intravehicular mobility unit spacesuits to change into blue jumpsuits.

This image seen on Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Center shows Shenzhou-11 spacecraft successfully docking with Tiangong-2 space lab on Oct 19, 2016. (Photo / Xinhua)

They will live in the space lab for 30 days before returning to Earth.

Shenzhou-11 was launched on Monday morning from northwest China's Gobi Desert.

In this photo taken from the large screen of the Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Center, astronauts aboard the Shenzhou-11 spacecraft Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong give a thumbs-up after docking with Tiangong-2 space lab, Oct 19, 2016. (Photo / Xinhua)

It approached Tiangong-2 and automatically docked with the space lab at 3:31 am Wednesday.

 

[onebyone]

China's space survival experiment goes on well
Source: Xinhua 2016-09-20 22:35:24



BEIJING, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- China's experiment in human living for space exploration is going smoothly, halfway into the project, the Astronaut Center of China (ACC) announced Tuesday.

Four volunteers started a 180-day experiment in June in a sealed space capsule, testing technology that will be used in deep-space exploration.

The experiment examines how oxygen, water and food can be used and reused in space.

The ACC has used Mars time with 24 hours and 40 minutes in a day in the experiment since Aug. 26.

Scientists are also examining the physiological changes and emotional fluctuations brought by a hermetic environment.

A total of 25 kinds of plants in the capsule as part of a larger ecological treatment system are also growing well.

The experiment will conclude on Dec. 13.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-09/20/c_135700743.htm

Space program advances in heavens and on Earth
(China Daily) 08:48, October 20, 2016


Clockwise from upper left: Scientists fix their gaze on monitors at Beijing AerospaceControl Center as Shenzhou XI prepares to dock with the Tiangong II space lab onWednesday. The two spacecraft dock, in this artist's rendering. Chen Dong floats in thespace lab. Jing Haipeng, left, and Chen greet viewers shortly after entering the space lab. [Photo/Xinhua]

As two Chinese astronauts peered into the heavens from the Tiangong II space lab theydocked with early Wednesday, Chinese rocket scientists on the ground said they arelooking into ways to shape the future of the nation's space market.

When the astronauts left their "divine vessel", Shen-zhou XI, and entered the newest high-tech "heavenly palace" floating above Earth early on Wednesday, it was one for the historybooks.

The docking with the Tiangong II space lab wasn't the first such maneuver in the Chinesespace program.

But it was highly significant, with more experiments planned, a space stay twice as long asearlier missions and a space lab that's a significant step toward the nation's goal of havinga permanent space station orbiting in just a few years.

Once the two vehicles docked, mission commander Jing Haipeng, 49, and Chen Dong, 37,extended greetings to all of the Chinese people and checked the status of the Shenzhou XI-Tiangong II combination to ensure equal pressurization.

The two took off their spacesuits to change into blue jumpsuits.

They will remain within the space lab for 30 days, making the longest space stay byChinese astronauts. They will verify the life-support capability of the spacecraft-space labcombination and conduct scientific research and engineering experiments.

Jing and Chen will sprout seeds and study their growth in space. They also will take part inan experiment in which a futuristic device will try to translate their brain impulses intowords to communicate with the ground control and to operate instruments in thespacecraft.

Shenzhou XI blasted off atop a Long March 2F rocket on Monday from the JiuquanSatellite Launch Center in northwest China, about one month after the launch of TiangongII in mid-September. This is China's sixth manned spaceflight and is expected to pave theway for the permanent space station, construction of which is scheduled to start in 2018,with a launch planned around 2022.

However, in the eyes of rocket scientists at the China Academy Launch VehicleTechnology, the country's largest developer of ballistic missiles and carrier rockets, moreis needed than State programs alone for the future growth of China's space sector.

CALT is a subordinate of the larger China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, theState-owned main contractor for the Chinese space program.

Hao Zhaoping, vice-president of CALT, said the academy will strive to tap the commerciallaunch market because commercial space activities have begun to represent thedevelopment trend of the industry.

"We will continue to push forward with the internationalization and commercialization ofthe academy's space sector through more participation in the international space marketand introduction of private capital," Hao said. "The government also encourages industryplayers to develop commercial satellites and their applications, commercial launchservices and space tourism."

Hao spoke Wednesday at a ceremony marking the establishment of ChinaRocket Co Ltd, acompany founded by the academy to provide launch services to domestic and overseasclients.

"The new company will start business by designing and using some light-lift rockets tofulfill commercial contracts and then open the development of suborbital, reusablespacecraft for space tourism," Hao said, adding the firm will also go public.

Han Qingping, president of ChinaRocket, announced that his company aims at carryingout at least 50 launches per year and maintaining a cost 30 percent lower than itscompetitors in the market. He did not elaborate on the agenda to achieve these goals.

In the past, the idea of commercializing the space industry was deemed by some experts inChina as being unrealistic or even unreasonable. Opinions started to change over the pasttwo years along with the rise of private space enterprises in the United States such asSpaceX and Orbital Sciences.

In February, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp, a State-owned defensetechnology giant, set up the Expace Technology Co Ltd to put its Kuaizhou-series solid-fueled rockets on the market.

Expace Technology will have an annual production capacity of 50 carrier rockets and 140commercial satellites by 2020, company executives said.

China has launched 54 carrier rockets to lift satellites for foreign clients.

Hu Shengyun, a senior rocket engineer at China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp,estimates that by 2020, the market value of commercial space activities in China will reach30 billion yuan ($4.6 billion) annually.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2016/1020/c202936-9130015-2.html

Silkworm experiments commence on Tiangong-2
By Yin Xiaohong (People's Daily Online) 15:55, October 20, 2016

A video clip released on Oct. 20 shows a silkworm squirming on the fingertip of JingHaipeng, one of the Chinese astronauts on the Tiangong-2 space lab.

After China's Shenzhou-11 spacecraft docked with the Tiangong-2 space lab, a total of sixsilkworms were brought into the space lab for experiments. In the first experiment, peoplecan observe the silkworms’ development under microgravity, comparing it with thedevelopment of silkworms on Earth. The silkworms on the spacecraft were speciallycultivated by scientists.
http://en.people.cn/n3/2016/1020/c90000-9130365.html

Spotlight: Astronaut reveals life in space
(Xinhua) 20:16, October 19, 2016
BEIJING, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese astronauts Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong enteredthe space lab Tiangong-2 Wednesday morning aboard the Shenzhou-11 spacecraft. It'sstory that has garnered plenty of international media attention.

But what is life actually like in space? In two separate interviews, former NASA astronautLeroy Chiao and Alexander Zheleznyakov, a member of the Tsiolkovsky Russian Academyof Cosmonautics, tell us about the day-to-day routine of astronauts along with the mentaland physical challenges they face. Excerpts of the interviews are below.

Q: How was your day scheduled in space? Were you still on duty during the weekend?

Chiao: A typical day begins with a short conference with the mission control centers todiscuss the days activities. Then, each astronaut works off of his or her schedule for theday. The schedule includes experiment operations, repair/maintenance tasks,housekeeping/inventory tasks, meals, short breaks, and an exercise period. At the end ofthe day, there is another short conference with mission control.

Weekends are lighter for work, and we do get some time off for major holidays.

Q: What is the most common problem in space?

Chiao: The most common problem in space for me is trying not to lose things. Everythingmust be secured in place, usually with velcro or a rubber bungee. But, if someone bumpsinto the object, it can come free and become lost. Most lost items end up in the air filters,but sometimes things stay lost for much longer, or even indefinitely!

Q: What are these lost items? Anything important?

Chiao: Could be anything, from small parts to a bag of disk drives, to personal items, likewatches, pens, etc. Nothing dangerous.

Q: What health problems could come out of the long-time stay in space?

Zheleznyakov: We have special medicines to prevent lose of calcium in our bones andother negative changes in the human organs, and physical exercises to reduce threats toour health. All possible problems in an astronaut's health have been properly handled inthe space missions so far.

Q: How do you manage to stay healthy, both physically and mentally, in space?

Chiao: The two-hour exercise periods take care of physical health. Mental health is up tothe individual. Most of us spend our free time looking at the Earth and takingphotographs. We also take time to use email or the VOIP phone to keep in touch withfamily and friends.

Q: Any common psychological problems?

Zheleznyakov: The mental conditions of astronauts during their space missions are largelylinked to preparations before they go into space. What should be taken into considerationis whether or not their personalities suit the missions facing them.

Q: What if depression his an astronaut?

Zheleznyakov: You have to make a tight schedule to leave no time for too much mentalexcursion. I personally know no case of mental problems as going so far as disrupting anastronaut's mission in space. One day or two with a bad mood is common, but they comearound in the end.

Q: How important are the experiments you'll be carrying out?

Chiao: Most experiments are biomedical in nature. That's because we really need tounderstand the negative effects of spaceflight on astronauts, and develop countermeasuresto keep them healthy. Only then, can we expect to mount successful missions that arelonger and farther from the Earth.

Q: Anything you want to say to your Chinese colleagues in space?

Chiao: I want to wish them good luck on their mission! I'm sure they are well prepared,and will do a good job.


http://en.people.cn/n3/2016/1019/c90000-9129826.html

Astronaut's space diary describes work schedule as 'prettytight'
By Yin Xiaohong (People's Daily Online) 11:56, October 20, 2016

Jing Haipeng in the space lab Tiangong-2
After the successful launch of Shenzhou-11 on Oct. 17, the two astronauts aboard thespacecraft, Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong, entered the space lab Tiangong-2 on themorning of Oct. 19 (Beijing time). With the whole country wondering about their lives inspace, Jing’s first space diary has been released to slake that curiosity.

Here is an edited version of the diary entry:

This is the first day of work in the combination Shenzhou-11 spacecraft and Tiangong-2space lab. The time now is 10:05 pm, but our work is not yet finished.

I have heard that people on Earth are quite interested in our life here. Actually, our workschedule is pretty tight, and I need to get some sleep soon. We only ate one meal as bothbreakfast and lunch because we were very busy with docking and entering. Instant foodmakes up our breakfasts and lunches, and we consume more snacks but fewer staplefoods. We forgot to eat the rice and noodles that we had heated up, so we decided to makeup for it at dinner.

This is my third mission to space, and my second time entering Tiangong space lab.Actually, compared to Tiangong-1, Tiangong-2 space lab is more comfortable to live inbecause it has a better layout and nicer decorations.

As for my family, I believe they must be credited with some of our success, just as Imentioned at the press conference and as I said to Chen Dong today. At this moment, wemiss all of you very much. I want to tell my colleagues and comrades that we worked,lived, practiced, trained and pursued our dreams together. You are like my family. I knowmany of you are on duty now to monitor and support our work. I want to salute all mycolleagues!
http://en.people.cn/n3/2016/1020/c90000-9130242.html

 

[JSCh]

Tiangong-2 Astronauts Feed Silkworms, Work Out on Special Running Machine
CCTV+

Published on Oct 20, 2016

The two Chinese astronauts on the Tiangong-2 space lab started their routine work and exercise programs on Thursday, the day after they entered the orbital module.

Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong got up at 06:30 in the morning. Their first task was to plant lettuce seeds so that they can harvest a batch of lettuce before they leave the space lab in 30 days time.

The astronauts are living according to Beijing time, even though they experience day and night every 90 minutes in space.

They will work six days a week according to a schedule that scientists say will help them stay healthy.

"We perfected the schedule of working and sleeping. They now work six days and have one day off. This schedule will give them more freedom to adjust their work flexibly," said Huang Weifen, deputy chief designer of the Manned Spaceship Astronaut System.

At 09:20, Jing and Chen fed their silkworms. Jing brought out the first silkworm and gave it a zero-gravity flight.

The six silkworms will help Chinese scientists study the silkworms' growing process in space, and allow them to compare this with how they grow on Earth.

After feeding the silkworms, Jing and Chen started working out on their specially designed running machine. As they will spend a month in space, proper exercises are important to the astronauts.

At 12:00, Jing had the first go on their new facility. As there is no gravity in space lab, the two had to wear belts to "tie" them onto the running machine.

Jing and Chen had a nap after running before carrying out noise and other physical capacity tests in the afternoon.

 

[JSCh]

New company set up to develop space economy
By Leng Shumei (Global Times) 08:24, October 21, 2016

The commercialization of rocket launches will boost the industry by bringing space tourism income and attracting private investment, experts said.

ChinaRocket Co. Ltd, a subsidiary of China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, the country's largest developer of ballistic missiles and carrier rockets, was established on Wednesday, marking the commercialization of China's space industry, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

"Chinese commercial space enterprises are lagging behind the global market due to lack of complete production chain in the commercial space industry and experience in commercial space activities like space tourism," Li Hong, president of the academy, said at a press conference on Wednesday.

"Commercializing rocket launches will help develop the industry as many private companies will be interested in the sector," Jiao Weixin, a professor at the School of Earth and Space Science of Peking University, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Jiao said the establishment of the company signals that State-controlled space industry is stepping into ordinary people's daily life.

Han Qingping, president of ChinaRocket, said at the press conference that the company would focus on keeping the cost 30 percent lower than an average launch through the "standardization of the interface between satellite and rocket as well as advance preparation."

According to Han, China will develop reusable sub-orbital vehicles in five to 10 years.

Han said the company will launch individual space travel services like "space taxi, free space ride and space shuttle bus" to promote the space economy.

According to Xinhua, ChinaRocket's individual space travel package would cost about $200,000.

Huang Jun, a professor at the School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering at Beihang University, said that "many countries have been studying the reusability of carrier devices and aircraft, but it will take at least one to two decades before visitors can afford a space trip."

The market value of commercial space in China would reach 30 billion yuan ($4.6 billion) annually by 2020, Xinhua reported, citing Hu Shengyun, a senior rocket engineer at China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp.

 

[JSCh]

19, Oct. fairing being transported to be assembled onto the Long March 5 (CZ-5) rocket.