On December 27, the Chinese government released its third white paper on its space activities. The release of China's Space Activities in 2011[1]seems to establish a pattern of releasing white papers on space issues about every five years (previous ones were released in 2000 and 2006) and seems consistent with the finalization of national five-year plans (FYP).

The White Paper's Contents

In the latest edition, the Chinese State Council (whose Information Office issues the document) notes that the purposes of China's space program include not only improving understanding the earth in relation to the cosmos, as well as improvement of human civilization in general (consistent with the stated goals of many space powers), but also:

§ Meeting the demands of economic, scientific, and technological development; national security; and social progress; and

§ Improving China's scientific and cultural knowledge, protecting Chinese national rights and interests, and improving China's national comprehensive strength.

After detailing advances in China's space program since the last space white paper in 2006, the paper then lays out key objectives for the next five years. These include:

§ New launch vehicles, including not only the heavy Long March 5 but also the Long March 6 and Long March 7;

§ A range of new satellites, including a new high-resolution "earth observation satellite," as well as expansion of the current Beidou navigation constellation; and

§ Improvements in its telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) capabilities, as well as completing the new launch facility on Hainan Island.

On December 27, the Chinese government released its third white paper on its space activities. The release of China's Space Activities in 2011[1]seems to establish a pattern of releasing white papers on space issues about every five years (previous ones were released in 2000 and 2006) and seems consistent with the finalization of national five-year plans (FYP).

The White Paper's Contents

In the latest edition, the Chinese State Council (whose Information Office issues the document) notes that the purposes of China's space program include not only improving understanding the earth in relation to the cosmos, as well as improvement of human civilization in general (consistent with the stated goals of many space powers), but also:

§ Meeting the demands of economic, scientific, and technological development; national security; and social progress; and

§ Improving China's scientific and cultural knowledge, protecting Chinese national rights and interests, and improving China's national comprehensive strength.

After detailing advances in China's space program since the last space white paper in 2006, the paper then lays out key objectives for the next five years. These include:

§ New launch vehicles, including not only the heavy Long March 5 but also the Long March 6 and Long March 7;

§ A range of new satellites, including a new high-resolution "earth observation satellite," as well as expansion of the current Beidou navigation constellation; and

§ Improvements in its telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) capabilities, as well as completing the new launch facility on Hainan Island.On December 27, the Chinese government released its third white paper on its space activities. The release of China's Space Activities in 2011[1]seems to establish a pattern of releasing white papers on space issues about every five years (previous ones were released in 2000 and 2006) and seems consistent with the finalization of national five-year plans (FYP).

The White Paper's Contents

In the latest edition, the Chinese State Council (whose Information Office issues the document) notes that the purposes of China's space program include not only improving understanding the earth in relation to the cosmos, as well as improvement of human civilization in general (consistent with the stated goals of many space powers), but also:

§ Meeting the demands of economic, scientific, and technological development; national security; and social progress; and

§ Improving China's scientific and cultural knowledge, protecting Chinese national rights and interests, and improving China's national comprehensive strength.

After detailing advances in China's space program since the last space white paper in 2006, the paper then lays out key objectives for the next five years. These include:

§ New launch vehicles, including not only the heavy Long March 5 but also the Long March 6 and Long March 7;

§ A range of new satellites, including a new high-resolution "earth observation satellite," as well as expansion of the current Beidou navigation constellation; and

§ Improvements in its telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) capabilities, as well as completing the new launch facility on Hainan Island.