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Order Code RS21641
Updated October 18, 2005
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
China's Space Program: An Overview
Marcia S. Smith
Specialist in Aerospace and Telecommunications Policy
Resources, Science, and Industry Division
Summary
The People's Republic of China successfully completed its second human
spaceflight mission on October 17, 2005. China is only the third country, after Russia
and the United States, able to launch people into space. Its first human spaceflight was
in 2003 when a single astronaut, or taikonaut, made a flight lasting slightly less than
a day. The 2005 flight lasted five days, and involved two taikonauts. As the United
States embarks upon President Bush's Vision for Space Exploration to return
astronauts to the Moon by 2020 and someday send them to Mars, some may view
China's entrance into the human exploration of space as a competitive threat, while
others may view China as a potential partner. This report will be updated as warranted.
Introduction
China has been launching satellites since 1970. Most of the launches are of Chinese
communications, weather, remote sensing, navigation, or scientific satellites. Some of
those satellites may be for military applications, or are dual use. Some were commercial
launches for foreign countries or companies, primarily placing communications satellites
into orbit. China launched its first astronaut, or taikonaut, in October 2003.
China has three space launch sites: Jiuquan (also called Shuang Cheng-tzu) in the
Gobi desert; Xichang, in southeastern China (near Chengdu); and Taiyuan, south of
Beijing. Jiuquan was China's first launch site, and is used for launches of a variety of
spacecraft, including those related to the human spaceflight program. Xichang,
inaugurated in 1984, is used for launches into geostationary orbit (above the equator),
primarily communications satellites. Taiyuan, opened in 1988, is used for launches into
polar orbits (that circle the Earth's poles), primarily weather and other Earth observation
satellites. China has several different launch vehicles; most are called Chang Zheng (CZ,
1 The term taikonaut for Chinese astronaut was popularized by an independent Chinese space
analyst, Chen Lan, who operates the Go Taikonauts unofficial Chinese space website
[http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Launchpad/1921/]. According to Mr. Chen, other
Chinese terms for astronaut are yahangyuan,''hangtianyuan, and taikogren.
Congressional Research Service +. The Library of Congress](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.crs/crsmthaadka0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)
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