Published : 2025-02-20

On February 20, 1968, the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) was established.

The China Academy of Space Technology is the core unit in China engaged in the research and development of artificial satellites, spacecraft, and space application technologies.

It is also a major birthplace of the "Two Bombs and One Satellite" spirit and manned spaceflight spirit. The first director was the famous Chinese scientist Qian Xuesen (錢學森).

After more than 50 years of development, the academy has developed and successfully launched over 390 spacecraft, achieving the in-orbit operation of more than 240 spacecraft.

The spacecrafts developed by the academy cover six major series, including manned spaceflight, lunar and deep space exploration, navigation and positioning, earth observation, communication and broadcasting, and space science and technology experiments.

It has also achieved the serialised and platform-based development of large, medium, small, and micro-sized spacecraft.

The CAST has so far successfully completed major space missions represented by the manned spaceflight project, lunar exploration project, Beidou project, and high-resolution project, making outstanding contributions to the milestone development of China's space industry.