China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation
The China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation (CASC 中国航天科技集团公司) was officially established on July 1, 1999 on the basis of the former China Aerospace Corporation. It is the main contractor for the Chinese space program.
The CASC specializes in designing, developing and manufacturing spacecrafts, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems as well as ground equipment. It also handles imports and exports of space-related products and is in charge of international cooperation in this regard. Moreover, it produces a variety of civilian products, such as machinery, chemicals, communications equipment, transportation equipment, computers, medi-care products and environmental protection equipment.
The CASC provides commercial launch services to the international market.
The CASC has under it over 130 organizations across China, including five large research academies, i.e., Chinese Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), the Academy of Space Chemical Propulsion Technology, Chinese Academy of Space Technology, Shanghai Academy of Space Flight Technology (SAST) and Chinese Academy of Space Electronics Technology(CASET), in addition to two major research and manufacture bases—Sichuan Space Industry Corporation and Xi'an Space Science & Technology Industry Corporation, as well as a number of factories, research institutes under the direct supervision of the headquarters, and companies in which CASC has shares.
With a staff of 110,000 employees, the CASC boasts 25 academicians of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering, as well as 24 academicians and corresponding members of International Academy of Astronautics (IAA).
Website: www.spacechina.com
