China Academy of Space Technology

China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), also known as the Fifth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, was established on February 20, 1968, with the renowned scientist Qian Xuesen as its first president. After 53 years of development, it has become China's main base for space technology and product development, and a core force in China's space industry. Since the successful launch of China's first artificial Earth satellite on April 24, 1970, the Academy has led the development and successful launch of over 300 spacecraft, with more than 200 spacecraft in orbit. Its spacecraft cover six major series: manned spaceflight, lunar and deep space exploration, navigation and positioning, Earth observation, communication and broadcasting, and space science and technology experiments, achieving serialized and platform-based development of large, medium, small, and micro spacecraft. The Academy has successfully completed major space missions such as the manned spaceflight project, lunar exploration project, Beidou project, and high-resolution Earth observation project, making outstanding contributions to the milestone leaps in China's space industry. The Academy fully leverages the advantages of space technology and its radiating and driving effects, continuously promoting new space technology achievements into multiple areas of the national economy. Focusing on three advantageous business segments: satellite applications, intelligent equipment, and space biology, it has established three main business platforms: China Satellite, Contron Infrared, and Aerospace Biology, forming a regional layout centered on the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The Academy adheres to an international development strategy, actively practices the "Belt and Road" initiative, and promotes building a community with a shared future for mankind. It has established cooperative relationships with more than 100 countries and regions, including Russia, France, Brasil, and has signed the first commercial satellite export contract in 2004. By the end of 2020, it had delivered 20 commercial satellites to international users, with exports covering communication satellites, remote sensing satellites, satellite applications, spacecraft development infrastructure, astronautic single-machine components, and aerospace components. The Academy has built industrial bases in Beijing, Tianjin, Huailai, Xi'an, Lanzhou, Yantai, Shenzhen, Inner Mongolia, Hangzhou, etc., and possesses a complete research and production system for spacecraft overall design, subsystem development and manufacturing, system integration, final assembly and testing, environmental testing, ground equipment manufacturing, satellite applications, and service support. The Academy currently has 9 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, 11 academicians of the International Academy of Astronautics, 9 academicians of the Russian Academy of Astronautics, 15 national experts with outstanding contributions, 40 national technical experts, and more than 7,200 personnel with senior professional titles. The Academy has been awarded 84 national science and technology awards, including 9 special awards; authorized over 7,700 patents; won 3 China Patent Gold Awards; and received over 3,000 provincial and ministerial awards. The Academy has also been honored as a National Civilized Unit, National Advanced Grassroots Party Organization for Innovation and Excellence, and National Model Staff Home. Looking to the future, the Academy will be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, deeply implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions and instructions on building a space power, with the mission of "developing the space industry and building a space power," aiming at "high-quality assurance of success, high-efficiency task completion, and high-benefit promotion of a space power." It will vigorously promote the spirit of space, adhere to reform and innovation, and strive unremittingly to accelerate the construction of a world-class aerospace enterprise, support the building of a space power and national rejuvenation, and make new and greater contributions to the early realization of a modern socialist country and the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation!