15 March 2021
In the next 5 years, Chinese scientists hope to develop a long-distance, high-speed quantum communication system using only domestically made parts that can also be integrated with classical communication technologies, China's leading quantum scientist Pan Jianwei told China Daily in an exclusive interview. In space, China plans to create mid- to high-orbit quantum satellites that can work around the clock, providing ultra-secure communication for business operations, Pan Jianwei explained.
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15 March 2021
Blaine Curcio of Orbital Gateway Consulting and Jean Deville of The China Aerospace Blog are reporting for SpaceWatch.Global on China's main space events of the last week. This time the two experts focus on the latest information coming out from the "two sessions" regarding the role commercial companies can play in China’s future satellite internet. Another part of their reporting covers the question of a new dedicated spaceport for commercial launch companies. They also give their views on the launch of the CZ-7A and the progress of commercial launch provider Galactic Energy.
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14 March 2021
Private space technology start-up Rocket Pi has set itself an ambitious goal of initiating an orbital space biology lab around 2025. This told company founder Cheng Wei on 14 March Global Times. Rocket Pi is based in Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province.
It aims to conduct studies of the impact of space on the human body to explore the development of future manned space missions, while also planning to use a bioregenerative life support system onboard its lab to study the feasibility of long-term human stays on the Moon or other extraterrestrial bodies. Rocket Pi has a four-step framework toward its ambitious goals. According to material that the company provided to the Global Times, its spacecraft will be very much like China's manned Tiangong-2 space lab. Rocket Pi also plans to launch its first liquid-fuel carrier rocket codenamed Darwin-1 by the end of 2022.
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18 March 2021
Around 1,500 rice seeds that travelled onboard the Chang'e 5 spacecraft are now growing at the Plant Space Breeding Engineering Technology Research Centre of the South China Agricultural University, in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. The green seedlings are expected to leave the greenhouse and to be planted in the fields at the end of March. This 1st batch of rice will be harvested by the end of June and then sown for a 2nd generation. After 4 to 5 generations, favourable characteristics of the plants are matured and can be selected for new rice varieties.
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