Space technologies to protect fragile Shaolin books

It was a strange sight: a group of monks from the Shaolin Temple, the cradle of Chinese kung fu, walking through the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, producer of China's Long March carrier rockets.

The abbot, Shi Yongxin, wearing a brown robe, led the delegation to explore the use of rocket technologies to protect the ancient books in the temple, whose history spans about 1,500 years. It is listed as a world cultural heritage site.

The academy has developed an advanced book protection system based on aerospace technologies.