A leading official in charge of China's manned space program
said after the success of its first human spaceflight the country
would launch its lunar and deep space probe programs and space lab
and space station projects.
Zhang Qingwei, deputy chief commander of China's Manned Space
Program, said China would strive for breakthroughs in space
rendezvous and docking technology for launching a space lab and
eventually a manned space station.
A manned space station will enable China to carry out
large-scale scientific experiments and applications in space, said
Zhang, citing the plan for manned space program approved by the
Chinese authorities in 1992.
Zhang, also general manager of China Aerospace Science and
Technology Corp (CAST), said the space plans are necessary for
China to exploit space resources for peaceful purposes.
Space-based infrastructure, including the planned space lab and
station, will serve as a platform for deep space probe, he
said.
The CAST, manufacturer of China's spacecraft and launch
vehicles, will plan for the development of space lab and its launch
vehicle and technology for space rendezvous and docking.
Long Lehao, director of the Science and Technology Commission of
China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology with CAST, told Xinhua
the academy has started developing a more powerful launch vehicle
capable of sending large satellites, lunar probe devices and other
space probe facilities into space in the coming 30 years and
more.
China Academy of Space Technology, China's leading satellite and
spacecraft developer, announced earlier this year it had designed a
lunar probe program and made breakthroughs in key technology.
(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2003)