BEIJING, July 25 (Xinhua) -- China aims to attain the
world level in space technology development by building a comprehensive
aerospace industry by 2015, the country's Aerospace Science and Technology
Corporation (CASTC) said here on Friday.
According to a blueprint released by the state-owned
company, 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.
"The new format will benefit the local economy and
society, especially when it becomes part of the strategic development of north
China's Bohai region, south China's Pearl River Delta, and the country's western
area," said Ma Xingrui, the space group general manager.
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.
In May last year, the company sent a Nigerian
communication satellite into space, creating a breakthrough for China satellite
exports.
According to the CASTC 2015 planning, China would
also launch services in fields such as satellite management, capital investment
related to the space industry, and aerospace information software, among others.
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.
