16 June 2016
2016 is China's Space Year! Not only that China celebrated its Space Day for the first time in history and not only that we will see numerous space missions taking-off in the second half of the year, on 31 March 2016 China and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Activities UNOOSA set an unprecedented milestone: they signed a framework and funding agreement on the utilisation of the Chinese Space Station. Details were for the first time publicly presented during the 59th COPUOS in Vienna on Tuesday, 14 June. "Under the Agreements, CMSA will provide resources in regard to China’s Space Station, and funding support to UNOOSA. Both parties will work together for the following purposes:
- To continue implementing the Human Space Technology Initiative (HSTI);
- To provide opportunities for Member States to conduct space experiments on board China’s Space Station;
- To provide opportunities for Member States to fly their astronauts/payload experts on board China’s Space Station."
"This is an exciting opportunity to further build the space capacity of developing countries and increase understanding of the benefits space can bring to humankind, including for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. My Office and I are looking forward to working with CMSA on these initiatives," said UNOOSA Director Simonetta Di Pippo.
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more about the 59th COPUOS session ...

presentation by CMSA Deputy Director General, Wu Ping ...