Space Organizations Part 2: U.S. Military, Foreign and Private - China

China's space program is operated by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). The CASC is a state-run enterprise that develops and produces rockets, spacecraft, and related products. It has conducted satellite launches since 1970. CASC launch sites include Jiuquan in the Gobi desert, Taiyuan in northern China, and Xichang in southeastern China.

On October 15, 2003, the CASC conducted its first human spaceflight. A Chinese "taikonaut" named Yang Liwei was launched aboard a spacecraft called Shenzhou 5 (Shenzhou means "Divine Vessel" in English). The launch vehicle was believed to be a modified Soyuz rocket. Liwei spent 21 hours and 23 minutes in space and completed 14 orbits.

Soon after the flight, the U.S. Congressional Research Service (CRS) released a report entitled China's Space Program: An Overview, which summarized what is known about China's space ambitions. The CRS believes that China will conduct another crewed launch sometime in 2004 or 2005. Future plans call for development of a space station in Earth orbit, interplanetary robotic probes, and a crewed lunar landing. The country has shown keen interest in participating in international space ventures and has such agreements with Russia, Brazil, and the European Space Agency. It is estimated that China spends approximately $2 billion a year on its space program.