On Feb 12th, the Commission of Science Technology and Industry for National Defense (COSTIND) issued “Eleventh Five Years Space Development Plan”, the first blueprint of Chinese government on future space scientific development. In tune with the requirements of national economic development and security in building up an innovative country, this Plan puts focus on improving the innovation of space science and its continuous development capability. While clarifying overall strategic objectives and major tasks in the eleventh five years, it puts forward concrete space science programs and policy measures during the eleventh five years.

According to the Plan, the overall strategic objectives in the next 15 years include: pioneering exploration and study of key scientific issues, space& astronomical survey and research, solar-terrestrial space environment survey and solar system exploration, capacity-building for microgravity science& space life science research. This provides a basis of establishing a complete space science system covering several leading-edge disciplines, helping to promote domestic space science research for breakthrough development. Moreover, significant scientific achievements will contribute to meet the strategic demand of our country in keeping up with international level.

Six space development objectives in eleventh five years: First, implementing the manned space flight and lunar exploration projects in medium-/long-term scientific development plan; Second, developing indigenously Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT) for breakthrough progress in astronomic satellite and “black hole” research; Third, launching “Practice-10” recycling space scientific experiment satellite for microgravity and space life science research; Fourth, participating in Sino-Russia Mars environment survey plan, world-wide UV astronomical observatory plan and Sino-France solar burst satellite exploration plan; Fifth, boosting the core technological research of solar telescopes and preliminary background research of “KuaFu” program; Sixth, key technical and scientific research on space science.

During the “eleventh five years”, it’s scheduled to engage in scientific research and exploration in three fields: space astronomy& solar physics, space physics& solar system exploration, microgravity science and space life science.

During the “eleventh five years”, it’s also expected to further promote the manned space flight and moon exploration project, HXMT and returnable air space scientific experiment satellite programs.

The manned space flight project is required to obtain key technology for astronauts’ extravehicular activity and space vehicle coupling, develop short-term unattended, or long-term autonomous flight space laboratory as well as research on microgravity& space life science, space astronomy and space physics, etc, Carrying out subsequent research on manned space flight.

The lunar exploration project is expected to conduct lunar orbit exploration in 2007, with its purpose of obtaining 3D surface images to analyze surface element content and physical distribution of the moon, and also probe into the soil characteristics and earth-moon space environment. At about 2012, soft landing and automatic walk-through on the moon are possibly achieved, followed by automatic sample recycling up to 2017.

Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT) is planned to be launched in 2010 as a milestone of our space satellite development.

The returnable space scientific experiment satellite “Practice-10” is scheduled to be launched in 2009, along with a series of application and fundamental research achievements.

During the “eleventh five years”, China plans to boost Mars environment survey plan and world-wide UV astronomical observatory plan in cooperation with Russia.

To ensure smooth implementation of the Plan, COSTIND will publicize new policy measures t develop space science plans and project guideline for coordinated management and scientific development; establish a feasible project screening system requiring open, fair and transparent implementation; encourage flexible financing modes to support and foster jointly the space science programs.

The space science aims to study the history and future evolution of cosmos involving macro celestial bodies and micro atoms& molecules, and reveal basically the rule of objective world, says an official of COSTIND. As a global frontier discipline, the space science is a forum showcasing the scientific strength of various countries, and also an important engine for scientific development. Therefore, space science research and exploration play a crucial role in promoting our space technology development in an all round way.  (Zhangtao)