The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is a Chinese state-owned space and defense conglomerate. It designs, builds and launches the rockets and spacecraft that form the core of China’s space program. Founded in 1999, CASC traces its lineage back to the 1950s when China established its first missile research institutes under engineers like Qian Xuesen. Today CASC is responsible for the development and production of virtually all major space hardware in China. This includes the Long March rocket family (China’s main launch vehicles), the Shenzhou crewed spacecraft, lunar and interplanetary probes, satellites for navigation and communications, and components of China’s space station. CASC operates dozens of research and manufacturing centers across China and is run as a state enterprise under government supervision.
Origins and Growth
CASC grew out of early Chinese missile and space programs. In 1956 China set up the “No. 5 Research Academy” to develop ballistic missiles and satellite launchers. Over the following decades, this work was reorganized through various ministries (Aerospace Industry, Aerospace Corporation) before becoming CASC in 1999. When it was formed, CASC inherited institutes for rockets and satellites as well as missile design bureaus. In the years since, it has expanded into one of the world’s largest aerospace groups, even ranking on the global Fortune 500 list of companies. CASC serves both civilian and military applications in line with China’s policy of military-civil fusion. It is fully state-owned through the State Council’s SASAC (State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission), and it reports to government planning bodies for funding and missions.
Organization and Structure
As a corporation, CASC is a large holding group made up of many subsidiaries and research institutes. It includes eight major research academies and production complexes, more than a dozen specialized companies, and a number of publicly listed firms. Some key units are the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) which leads rocket development, and the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) which focuses on satellite design. Thousands of scientists and engineers work for CASC, including many members of China’s national academies, to carry out its mission. CASC’s facilities span much of China – from its headquarters in Beijing to launch and manufacturing sites in places like Xi’an, Shanghai, and Sichuan province.
Launch Vehicles and Rockets
One of CASC’s best-known products is the Long March series of rockets. These launch vehicles – built mainly by CASC and its subsidiaries – are used to carry satellites, spacecraft, and astronauts into orbit. The Long March rockets are named after the historic Red Army’s Long March and form a family of expendable launchers in various sizes. Early successes included the launch of China’s first satellite (Dongfanghong-1) in 1970. Since then, CASC rockets have flown hundreds of missions. The new heavy-lift rockets, such as Long March 5, Long March 7, and Long March 8, can carry very large payloads for deep space missions and the space station. The Long March 2F version is used for crewed flights, as it has additional safety features. Each Long March rocket is developed by CASC’s technical centers and assembled at a satellite launch center.
Long March rockets come in many configurations – from small solid-fueled boosters to the powerful new Long March 5B which now launches China’s space station modules. Over 500 Long March launches have been flown, reaching low-Earth orbit, sun-synchronous orbit, geostationary transfer orbits, and even lunar and interplanetary trajectories. CASC continues to develop next-generation launchers (for example, a super-heavy rocket under design) to support future missions.
Satellite and Spacecraft Programs
CASC designs and builds most of China’s civilian and military satellites. This includes navigation satellites, Earth-observation satellites, communication satellites, weather and environment satellites, and scientific probes. One of the flagship projects is the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), China’s global position, navigation and timing network. CASC was heavily involved in launching and assembling the Beidou constellation of dozens of satellites, which now provides global coverage similar to GPS. For Earth observation, CASC built the Gaofen series of high-resolution imaging satellites under China’s CHEOS program, giving China advanced mapping and environmental monitoring capabilities. CASC also manufactures the Fengyun weather satellites and various reconnaissance satellites. In communications, CASC supplies satellites in the Dongfanghong (DFH) family used for TV, radio, and internet. Notably, CASC is also the operator of China’s state satellite services, managing satellite communications and data relay systems.
Beyond satellites, CASC is responsible for spacecraft platforms. For example, the Shenzhou capsule that carries Chinese astronauts was developed by CASC units (CAST built the spacecraft, launched by a Long March rocket). CASC also built the Tiangong space station’s core module and lab modules in collaboration with China’s space agency. In the early 2020s CASC launched robotic probes: under the Chang’e lunar program, its rockets delivered orbiters and landers to the Moon, enabling the first soft-landing and roving on the lunar surface by China. CASC rockets also put the Tianwen-1 mission on its way to Mars in 2020, which included an orbiter and the Zhurong rover. In short, CASC is the contractor that builds and launches the hardware for China’s entire suite of space missions, both crewed and uncrewed.
Major Missions and Achievements
CASC has been behind many of China’s most high-profile space achievements. These include China’s crewed space missions, the lunar exploration program, and interplanetary missions. For crewed space flight, CASC’s rockets and spacecraft carried China’s first astronauts into orbit in 2003 and continues to launch crews to the Tiangong space station. The company built the Shenzhou capsules that dock at the station and the Tianzhou cargo vehicles that resupply it. In 2021–2022 CASC facilitated the assembly of China’s modular Tiangong station, launching the core module (Tianhe) and lab modules (Wentian, Mengtian) on Long March 5B rockets.
In lunar exploration, CASC delivered all the Chang’e missions: orbiters, landers, rovers and sample-return craft. China has landed unmanned spacecraft on the Moon’s near side and far side, returned lunar soil to Earth, and mapped the lunar surface – all with technology from CASC. For Mars and the solar system, CASC constructed the Tianwen-1 probe. Launched in 2020, it entered Mars orbit and placed the Zhurong rover on the planet’s surface in 2021, making China the second country to achieve a Mars rover landing on its first try. CASC is now preparing follow-on missions, as part of China’s goal to explore asteroids and planets. In addition, CASC supports scientific missions such as solar and space telescopes and space weather satellites.
CASC’s reach extends to technology demonstrations too. It has launched high-altitude balloons and research platforms for space science. The corporation’s engineers have also developed spacesuits, docking systems, and life-support modules for spaceflight.
Technology, Innovation and Applications
CASC invests in cutting-edge aerospace technologies to improve its space hardware. Its institutes work on advanced propulsion systems, new spacecraft designs (for example, future crewed vehicles and large spacecraft assembly in orbit), and space-based services. Some research areas include space biology experiments (studying life in space), new satellite electronics and miniaturization, and special materials. CASC also applies space technology to civilian industries back on Earth, such as satellite navigation products, high-resolution imaging for agriculture and mapping, and satellite-based disaster monitoring. The company has set up “space services” to manage satellite data and support commercial applications. In essence, CASC’s innovations help China apply space technology in communications, transportation, environmental monitoring and beyond.
International Cooperation
Although CASC is focused on China’s national space plans, it also engages internationally. The corporation maintains partnerships with foreign space firms and agencies, offering launch services and satellite technology to other countries. CASC emphasizes “win-win” cooperation and has participated in projects like exporting Earth-observation satellites and joint research programs. For example, CASC cooperates on communications and remote sensing satellites with overseas partners. In 2025 CASC welcomed dozens of foreign ambassadors, highlighting China’s willingness to work globally on space projects. China’s policy of “peaceful use” of space guides CASC’s collaborations. That said, Chinese space programs including CASC do not participate in the U.S.-led International Space Station, and by law NASA is barred from most cooperation with CASC. Instead, China has developed its own space station and works with partners where possible under bilateral or multilateral agreements.
Future Projects and Plans
Looking ahead, CASC is gearing up for ambitious goals. It is developing an even more powerful next-generation launch vehicle to send heavier payloads into space. CASC plans support continued lunar exploration (including robotic bases and eventual crewed missions around the Moon), as well as sample-return missions to Mars and asteroids. The company is also involved in proposed mega-constellation projects to beam broadband internet from low Earth orbit. In crewed flight, CASC will keep expanding the Tiangong station and may build larger habitats for longer missions. On the satellite front, CASC is likely to keep upgrading navigation systems like BeiDou and deploying new Earth-observation and scientific satellites. CASC continues to pursue China’s strategic vision of becoming a major “space power.” It invests in new technology and infrastructure so that China stays at the forefront of space exploration and satellite services.
Summary
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation is the main engine of China’s space achievements. From designing rockets and spacecraft to managing satellite programs, CASC’s work underpins China’s growing presence in orbit and beyond. It has turned China into a nation capable of sending humans into space, landing probes on other worlds, and building a permanent crewed laboratory in orbit. By blending research, industry and skilled personnel across China, CASC carries out the government’s space missions with speed and scale. As China’s space ambitions expand, CASC remains central to turning those plans into reality, making space technology an integral part of China’s economy and national strategy.
