Clik here to view.
China’s Space Programme – the Beginning (Part 2)
The Fifth Academy In his plan for developing China’s jet propulsion technology and rocketry research, Dr Qian Xuesen recommended the creation of dedicated missile R&D institutions as well as a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
China’s Space Programme – the Beginning (Part 3)
Project 581 Satellite Programme In the summer of 1957, while the negotiations between Beijing and Moscow over the transfer of the R-2 missile technology was still ongoing, the Soviets were progressing...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Gaofen 4 Earth observation satellite launched from Xichang
On 29 December, a CZ-3B rocket launched the Gaofen 4 Earth observation satellite into orbit. The launch took place at 00:04 China Standard Time (16:04 UTC on 28 December) from Launch Complex 2 of the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
PLA forms Rocket Force as the 4th service branch
On 31 December 2015, the People’s Liberation Army Second Artillery Corps (PLA SAC) was officially elevated in its status from a service arm (兵种) to a full service branch (军种), on par with the Army,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
PLA forms Rocket Force and Strategic Support Force
Following on from the earlier report that the PLA Second Artillery Corps has been elevated into a full service branch and renamed as the PLA Rocket Force (PLARF), Chinese state media confirmed today...
View ArticleClik here to view.
China’s Space Programme – the Beginning (Part 4)
Calling for a Satellite Project By 1961 China entered a period of readjustment and recovery following the disastrous Great Leap Forward campaign that resulted in widespread famine and economic...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Belintersat 1 telecommunications satellite launched from Xichang
On 16 January, China conducted its first space launch mission of 2016 to loft a geostationary telecommunications satellite for Belarus. The CZ-3B rocket launcher carrying the satellite named...
View ArticleClik here to view.
CZ-5 and CZ-7 to make debut flight in 2016
China’s new-generation space launchers, Chang Zheng-5 (CZ-5) and Chang Zheng-7 (CZ-7), will both make their debut flights in 2016. During his recent interview with the China News Service, Lei Fanpei,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
CZ-3C/YZ-1 launches Beidou navigation satellite
On 1 February, in the country’s second orbital launch mission in 2016, a CZ-3C rocket with a YZ-1 upper stage successfully placed a Beidou navigation satellite into orbit. The launch vehicle lifted off...
View ArticleClik here to view.
February 1996 CZ-3B rocket disaster
On 15 February 1996, the Chinese space programme experienced the worst disaster in its history. During its maiden flight, the CZ-3B rocket launcher carrying Intelsat 708 telecommunication satellite...
View ArticleClik here to view.
China announces launch schedule for Tiangong 2 missions
Artist impression of the Tiangong 1 Space Laboratory in orbit (Credit: CMSA) China’s second Space Laboratory Tiangong 2 will be launched into orbit in the third quarter of 2016, followed by a manned...
View ArticleClik here to view.
SinoDefence has moved!
This website is due to be closed for an overhaul. Please visit our new website for the latest news and analysis on China’s space programme: ChinaSpaceReport.com
View ArticleClik here to view.
China a step closer to acquiring RD-180
Just while U.S. politicians are pressing for an end to the use of Russian-made RD-180 rocket engines on American launch vehicles, China is getting a step closer to acquiring the same engine for its…...
View ArticleClik here to view.
CZ-7 makes successful maiden flight
At 20:00:07 local time (12:00:07 UTC) on 25 June 2016, a Chang Zheng-7 (CZ-7, or Long March 7) launch vehicle with a YZ-1 upper stage blasted off from Pad 201 at the China Wenchang Space Centre (CW…...
View ArticleClik here to view.
CZ-7 payloads demonstrate cutting-edge technologies
On 25 June 2016, China’s new-generation medium-lift launch vehicle, the Chang Zheng-7 (CZ-7, or Long March 7), made its inaugural launch successfully from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre on Hainan…...
View ArticleClik here to view.
CALT develops new CZ-3B variant for SSO missions
A significant development in China’s space programme, CALT is developing a new variant of its CZ-3B launcher that could be used for SSO missions Source: CALT develops new CZ-3B variant for SSO missions
View ArticleClik here to view.
PLA forms Rocket Force as the 4th service branch
On 31 December 2015, the People’s Liberation Army Second Artillery Corps (PLA SAC) was officially elevated in its status from a service arm (兵种) to a full service branch (军种), on par with the Army,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
PLA forms Rocket Force and Strategic Support Force
Following on from the earlier report that the PLA Second Artillery Corps has been elevated into a full service branch and renamed as the PLA Rocket Force (PLARF), Chinese state media confirmed today...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Chengdu J-20 Stealth Fighter Aircraft
The Chengdu J-20 is China’s first attempt to produce a 5th-generation stealth fighter that can match the likes of the U.S. Boeing F-22A Raptor and Russian Sukhoi PAK FA/T-50. The aircraft is currently...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Shenyang J-8 fighter: A history of evolution
The Shenyang J-8 is a single-seat, twin-engine interceptor fighter that first entered development in 1965, though the aircraft did not enter operational service until the early 1980s. Over the years,...
View Article