International Cooperation on the Chinese Space Station Officially Initiated

The announcement of the opportunity for international cooperation on the Chinese Space Station (CSS) was made at a ceremony hosted by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs(UNOOSA) and the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Vienna on 28 May. China officially initiated the international cooperation initiative for CSS and welcomed all member states of the United Nations to jointly utilize its future CSS.

Guided by the concept of open,peaceful and win-win cooperation, China welcomes all parties to participate in the international cooperation of CSS and explore space for mutual benefit, said the representative of China to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Vienna.

Guided by the idea of a shared future, the CSS will become a common home in space for all humankind.Through the CSS, China would like to build up a model of sincere mutually beneficial cooperation among countries for the peaceful exploration and use of outer space. The Director of UNOOSA said,this is the first time this kind of program has been open to all member states of UN, and she appreciated China’s technological achievements and contribution to the human space industry.

Countries are invited to apply for this opportunity by 31 August 2018. China and UN will jointly assess the applications and then determine specific cooperation projects to be implemented by relevant parties.

There are three possibilities for orbital experiments in the first round of opportunities. Conducting experiments inside the CSS by utilizing experimental payloads developed by selected applicants. Conducting experiments inside the CSS by utilizing experimental facilities provided by China. Conducting experiments outside the CSS by utilizing payloads developed by selected applicants. All member states of UN, especially public and private organizations including institutes, academies, universities and private enterprises from developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply.

From Shenzhou to Tianzhou, LM-2F to LM-5 and LM-7, space laboratory to space station, CASC has always been the main force in the implementation of China’s Manned Space Program and the realization of space dream.

The first two steps of China’s Manned Space Program have been successfully completed. China achieved success with all basic technologies such as space transportation space extra vehicular operations, rendezvous and docking testing key technologies in space station construction and operation including cargo transportation, on-orbit refueling and mid-term astronaut life support,conducting large space scientific and applied experiments. Construction of the space station, the 3rd step of China’s Manned Space Program, is in full swing with the construction and development being steadily promoted.

In 2018, it is planned to complete the core module equipments and module assembly of the CSS, conduct related large ground joint testing, manufacture the planned manned spacecraft and cargo spacecraft, and develop related payloads for the application system.

The construction of the CSS will be finished and put into operation around 2022. With a design life of 10 years at an attitude of 340 km - 450 km, the CSS will host 3 astronauts in their work and life support at one time and 6 astronauts during the rotation period.