China outlines space program till 2010

[kvLin]

BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- China's space program scientists have published outlines of plans to begin development of a space laboratory and spacewalking by Chinese astronauts by 2010.

The plans are among goals published by the Commission of Science Technology and Industry for National Defense in its 11th five-year (2006-2010) plan for space science development.

The blueprint states that China will continue to conduct manned space flight and lunar exploration.

Other plans include:

-- A Moon orbit in 2007 to acquire "three-dimensional pictures".

-- Rendezvous and docking of space-craft.

-- Development of an hard-X ray modulation telescope for China's first astronomical satellite in 2010 to research black holes.

-- The launch of the Shijian (Practice)-10 scientific recoverable satellite in 2009 to conduct micro-gravity and space life experiments.

-- Participation in the space environment exploration program and the World Satellite Observatory of Ultra-Violet Radiation project with Russia and the solar burst exploration mini-satellite project with France.

-- Further research on a solar telescope and preliminary research on Kuafu project, a comprehensive research project on the sun.

Space science is the driving force of science and technology development, officials with the commission said and added these space programs would have deep and important effect.

 

[kvLin]

Story Highlights
·China's cabinet in principle approved the country's 11th five-year space development plan.
·Zeng said that China should promote industrialization of space technologies.
·China should also encourage non-governmental investment in the space sector. [/COLOR]

BEIJING, May 10 (Xinhua) -- China's State Council, or the cabinet, in principle, approved the country's 11th five-year plan on space development at a conference on Thursday.

Addressing the conference, Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan stressed that the 11th five-year period (2006-2010) is key to China's space development.

China should give priority to a manned space flight, lunar exploration, new launch vehicle, high-resolution earth observation, he said.

Zeng said that China should promote industrialization of space technologies and attach great importance to the development of telecommunication, navigation and remote sensing satellites.

Space technologies should support and push China's economy and provide stable, continuous and high-quality services for telecommunication, weather forecasting and maritime investigation, among others, he said.

Zeng stressed that China should also encourage non-governmental investment in the space sector.