China has produced a hit list of space programme objectives for the next 20 years, including more ties with other space nations in an "outreach into the international space community, with a dedicated programme of space co-operation".
The country's white paper on its space activities lays out a number of short-term targets for the next 10 years, including development of an earth observation system, an independent satellite broadcasting and telecommunications system, and an independent satellite navigation and positioning system.
Long-term plans, over the next 20 years, call for the establishment of a fully integrated ground-space network system, a manned spaceflight system and to gain "a more important place in the world in the field of space science". China also aims to upgrade its launch vehicles, including improving the performance and reliability of its Long March fleet; developing the next generation of launch vehicles with non-toxic, non-polluting, high-performance and low-cost qualities; forming a new group of launch vehicles; and strengthening its capability in providing international commercial launch services.
It also aims to complete the research and development phase of manned spaceflight by launching crews on the Shen Zou spacecraft and to establish a co-ordinated national remote sensing applications programme and wider development of a science and technology space programme.
The paper says international space co-operation should be "promoted and strengthened". Priori-ties here include co-operation in the Asia-Pacific region and supporting Chinese space enterprises to participate in international commercial launch services.
Source: Flight International
