Firm gets ready for big-ticket missions

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp is working on multiple space programs that the government hopes could be completed in the next few years.

The largest and most important project is the construction of China's manned space station. According to the government's schedule, CASC will start constructing the nation's first manned space station around 2020. First, a Long March 5B heavy-lift rocket, which is being developed by engineers at the company, will put the station's core module into orbit that year. Next, about four manned space flights will be made to send astronauts to assemble the station.

The space station is expected to be fully operational around 2022 and is set to operate for at least 10 years. The multi-module spacecraft will be mainly composed of three parts - a core module attached to two space labs - having a combined weight of more than 90 metric tons.