China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.
Native name | 中国航天科技集团公司 |
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State owned | |
Industry | aerospace, space industry |
Predecessor | China Aerospace Corporation |
Founded | July 1, 1999 |
Headquarters | , |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Lei Fanpei (Chairman and President)[1] |
Products | Spacecrafts Missiles Electronics |
Revenue | CN¥ 294.02 billion[2] (2013) |
Owner | SASAC |
Number of employees | 174,000 (2014) |
Website | english.spacechina.com |
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | |||||||
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Simplified Chinese | 中国航天科技集团公司 | ||||||
Traditional Chinese | 中國航天科技集團公司 | ||||||
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Along with space and defence manufacture, CASC also produces a number of civilian products such as machinery, chemicals, communications equipment, transportation equipment, computers, medical care products and environmental protection equipment.[3] CASC provides commercial launch services to the international market and is one of the world's most advanced organizations in the development and deployment of high energy propellant technology, strap-on boosters, and launching multiple satellites atop a single rocket. By the end of 2013, the corporation has registered capital of CN¥294.02 billion and employs 170,000 people.[2] Its Rainbow series of drones in December 2019 was being exported to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Pakistan.[4]
Subordinate entities
R&D and production complexes
- China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT)
- Academy of Aerospace solid Propulsion Technology (AASPT)
- China Academy of Space Technology (CAST)
- Academy of Aerospace Liquid Propulsion Technology (AALPT)
- Sichuan Academy of Aerospace Technology (SAAT)
- Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST)
- China Academy of Aerospace Electronics Technology (CAAET)
- China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (CAAA)
Specialized companies
- China Satellite Communications[5]
- APT Satellite International
- China Great Wall Industry Corporation Limited (CGWIC)[6][7]
- China Aerospace International Holdings
- Beijing Shenzhou Aerospace Software Technology Co, Ltd.
- China Spacesat Co. Ltd.[8]
- China Siwei Surveying and Mapping Technology Co, Ltd
- China Aerospace Investment Holdings[9]
- Easy Smart Limited (易颖有限公司)[9]
Directly subordinated units
The "directly subordinated units" of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation are:
- China Astronautics Standards Institute
- China Astronautics Publishing House
- Space Archives
- Aerospace Communication Center
- China Space News
- Chinese Society of Astronautics
- Aerospace Talent Development & Exchange Center
- Aerospace Printing Office
Development work
In October 2013, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation announced that it had completed a first ignition test on a new LOX/Liquid methane rocket engine. No engine size was provided.[10]
Earth imaging effort
On December 28, 2016 the company launched Superview 1A and 1B aboard a LongMarch 2D rocket, two Earth imaging satellites equipped with 0.5 meter optical resolution. These satellites were described at the time as the first of an eventual 24-satellite constellation composed of 16 optical satellites, 4 high-resolution optical satellites, and 4 radar imaging satellites. The company initially planned to launch the satellites at a rate of 2 per year, with completion scheduled for 2022. The company planned to compete with international providers to sell imagery to both government and commercial customers.[11]
See also
- China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation
- CNSA
- Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)
- Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense
- China Northern Industries
- China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation
- China State Shipbuilding Corporation
- CASC Rainbow (UAV)
References
- China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. "Leaders - CASC". Retrieved 31 December 2014.
- China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. "Company Profile - CASC". Retrieved 31 December 2014.
- Allen-Ebrahimian, Bethany (2020-06-24). "Defense Department produces list of Chinese military-linked companies, 20 years after mandate". Axios. Retrieved 2020-06-24.
- Chen, Stephen (20 December 2019). "Chinese scientists create 'game-changer' methanol battery that keeps drone in the air for 12 hours". Retrieved 22 December 2019.
- "China Satcom taken over amid telecom reshuffle". China Daily. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
- Messier, Doug (2013-09-28). "China to Hold Long March Pricing Steady". Parabolic Arc. Retrieved 2014-12-14.
- "About CGWIC". CGWIC. Archived from the original on 2008-07-08.
- https://sciencemetro.com/space/chinese-space-resource-utilization-firm-origin-space-signs-deal-for-space-telescope/, 10 April 2020, accessed 16 May 2020.
- 易穎有限公司 (in Chinese). China Aerospace Investment Holdings. 12 April 2012. Archived from the original on 11 January 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
- Messier, Doug (2013-10-24). "Guess Who Else is Developing a LOX Methane Engine". Parabolic Arc. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
- Lei, Zhao. "Satellites' images will open up market". China Daily. Retrieved 2016-12-29.
External links
- Official website (in Chinese)
- Official website
- Global Security