New communications satellite company awaits approval
31 October 2017
China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) is considering the establishment of a satellite company to tap the space-based communications market. Tan Qianhong, Party Chief of China Space Sanjiang Group, a CASIC subsidiary in Hubei province, said Sanjiang has submitted a plan on the proposed satellite firm to CASIC and is waiting for approval. The new entity would focus mainly on the research, development and launch of small satellites that would operate in low orbit and provide narrowband communications service.
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China's reusable spacecraft to be launched in 2020
31 October 2017
China plans to launch its reusable spacecraft in 2020, according to a statement from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. Unlike traditional one-off spacecraft, the new spacecraft will fly into the sky like an aircraft, said Chen Hongbo, a researcher from the corporation. The spacecraft can transport people or payload into the orbit and return to Earth.
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Chinese scientists measure universe with "magic ruler"
30 October 2017
There's a giant "ruler" hidden among millions of galaxies in the universe. With it, scientists can measure how fast the universe is expanding. This will help them explore dark energy, the mysterious power behind cosmic expansion, and so speculate on the universe's destiny.
With this ruler, Chinese astronomers recently succeeded in reconstructing the evolution history of dark energy based on the observation of over a million galaxies. The research shows that dark energy is dynamic.
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Chinese astronaut Yang Liwei among first UNESCO Space Science Medal winners
28 October 2017
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has awarded the UNESCO Medal on Space Science to first Chinese national sent to space, Yang Liwei, and three other prominent international space practitioners during the first edition of the award ceremony. Unable to attend the ceremony himself, Yang Liwei was represented by Shen Yang, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of the People's Republic of China to UNESCO at the ceremony.
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