There will be more Chinese satellites in outer space in the 10th Five-year Plan period (2001-05), says Xu Fuxiang, president of the Chinese Academy of Space Technology (CAST), in a written report at the China Aerospace Industry Hi-Tech Forum in Beijing.
As predicted, in a timeframe of five years, nearly 30 satellites will be launched in the field of communications, meteorology, resources, oceanography, guided navigation, environment and calamity monitoring, astronomy, aerospace probe, etc. The satellites would be improved in performance and quality with increased numbers and improved verities.
CAST will carry out the work of developing most satellites and several "Shenzhou" manned spacecraft. For this the academy will make more efforts in innovations on technology, management and system to accelerate the industrialization of aerospace technology.
China's satellite industry started at the end of 1950s and by now 48 man-made satellites of different types have been launched into the orbits with a success rate of over 90 percent. Besides, 4 series of satellites on remote sensing, communication and other uses have primarily come into being, which are widely applied in such aspects as economy, technology, culture and national defense.
(People's Daily 10/08/2001)
