China's space exploration gathers pace

World
Europe

03:44

With about 35 space launches, including the unprecedented Chang'e 4 mission to the far side of the moon, 2018 was an unparalleled year in Chinese space history.

Experts say China's space achievements will help the nation boldly go where no one has gone before. Part of China's future plans are to work with other countries to realize this vision.

Former China National Space Administrator Luan Enjie said, four decades of space success came about by hard work and a collaborative management system. /CGTN Photo

China National Space Administration has signed more than 100 cooperation agreements with over 40 countries and international organizations.

Arfan Chaudhry, UK Space Agency's head of International Policy, told CGTN that there's an intent to look at a lunar mission, a lunar base, along with further development on Mars. So cooperation is essential in terms of space science and space development, and they will look to work closely with Chinese colleagues on that.

So far, China has successfully launched 11 spacecrafts, including six manned spaceflights, lifting 11 astronauts into space. /CGTN Photo

China has forged its own path in space discovery. Former China National Space Administrator Luan Enjie told CGTN that the 300,000 people in the Chinese space industry have formed their own set of methods and regulations that reflect the unique Chinese aerospace spirit.

Luan also said that they must adhere to developing high technology their own way. Advanced technology cannot simply be bought or given, they need to rely on our own scientists. And this kind of spirit is expected to be passed on to the next generation of space industry engineers and scientists.

More young talent needed as global collaboration gathers pace. /CGTN Photo

Some of the administration's recent milestones include China's first manned mission on the Shenzhou 5 spacecraft in 2003.

Five years later, Zhai Zhigang carried out a historic spacewalk via the Shenzhou 7. And when Chang'e-1 captured China's first picture of the moon, it kicked off the nation's three-stage moon mission.

With stable launching expertise, China has helped many countries launch their commercial satellites. The nation's Fengyun series weather satellites provide meteorological and maritime services to dozens of countries and regions.

China's Beidou Navigation Satellites system is expected to go global around 2020. /CGTN Photo

Many youngsters dream of exploring outer space, and as international cooperation around China's space program gathers pace, more talented and creative young engineers will be needed to join the work.

In the future, China will build its own space station and beyond that – land on Mars. /CGTN Photo

Exploration of the unknown is the impetus for human advancement. /CGTN Photo