17 January 2018
China's first nano-satellite with primary and middle school students involved in the development and building process will be launched into space on 19 January. The satellite, named after late Premier Zhou Enlai, was sent from its production base in Huai'an Youth Comprehensive Development Base in east China's Jiangsu Province to Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gansu Province Monday, where a CZ-11 solid fuel rocket is scheduled to put it into orbit. Twenty teenagers who participated in the development project accompanied the transport group to the launch center and will witness the lift-off.
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17 January 2018
The Ministry of the Economy and the China National Space Administration (CNSA) signed on 16 January in Beijing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that provides a framework for the development and implementation of scientific, technical, economic and political cooperation between Luxembourg and China in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.The areas of potential cooperation include, but are not limited to economic, legal, regulatory and technological aspects of the utilization of space resources. Furthermore, a cooperation agreement was signed to establish a Research Laboratory of Deep Space Exploration in Luxembourg. The Research Laboratory of Deep Space Exploration carry out scientific research and technology development including the research of universal interplanetary communications network related technology or advanced deep space communications technology.
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18 January 2018
Financial Times reports that Great Wall Industry it talking with NPO Energomash about the procurement of RD-180 engines, preferably as a licence or the full technology. Financial Times reports: "Energomash’s engine, the RD-180, is so highly rated that it is used by the US for its own satellite launches - a curious exception to Washington’s sanctions on Russia implemented following the 2014 invasion of Crimea."
Despite Russia's scepticism on the request for the procurement of the engine production technology, the talks do confirm the deepening ties between Russia and China.
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16 January 2018
Cai Xiaoru, Forbes listed young billionaire of mainland China, has signed the partnership agreement and committed to invest $ 30 million into SriLankan satellite company SupremeSAT through his Shenzhen listed company Tatwah Smartech. The agreement signing was concluded in Colombo, paving the way for Sri Lanka’s only satellite company to go global using the expertise and resources of the new-found investment. The partnership with TatwahSmartec and the visiting young billionaire is set to boost SupremeSAT’s capabilities and resources further in a big way, making Sri Lanka proud in the global space arena.
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