China to build world-class space industry in 7 years

China to build world-class space industry in 7 years Sunday, July 27, 2008 - BEIJING: China aims to attain the world level in space technology development by building a comprehensive aerospace industry by 2015, said the Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASTC).According to a blueprint the CASTC was to set up four more scientific research and production bases including Tianjin, Inner Mongolia and Hainan. The move would enable China to have eight space industry bases nationwide. At present, it has four bases respectively in Beijing, Shanghai, Shanxi and Sichuan. CASTC’s chief goal was to provide a package of service to its customers, including research, production, testing and other technology and services. “By 2015, the CASTC would take up 10 percent of the international commercial satellite market, and 15 percent of the world commercial space launch service market,” the blueprint said. Founded in 1999, CASTC has served as the leading research and production group to build up the country’s aerospace and missile systems. Through last year, it had carried out 50 successful spacecraft launches via its Long March series of rocket carriers, sending 43 domestically-developed satellites, six spaceships and one lunar probe into orbit. Upon the completion of two manned space trips in 2003 and 2005, respectively, the next trip, the Shenzhou VII, is expected to be launched in October.