Thirty years ago China became the fifth nation to launch its own satellite when a dosmetically built CZ-1 rocket lofted the small satellite Dongfanghong-1 (DFH-1) into orbit.

Official celebrations started the day before the anniversary, the English newspaper China Daily reported. During a ceremony on Sunday (April 23) more than 20 academics from the two Chinese academies of sciences and engineering unveiled the top ten space events in the Chinese space program. Topping the list is the launch of DFH-1.

Space pioneers and experts reflected on this occasion the experience and goals of space industry.

Qi Faren, who had participated in the design of both DFH-1 and was the chief designer of the Shenzhou experimental manned capsule, attributed the success of the space program to central government support and commitment. He particularly thanked fellow scientists and engineers for their hard work and ingenuity.

Hosting the ceremony was the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). The President of CASC Wang Liheng said that in order to further expand the competitiveness of Chinese launch services, a key objective would be improving the quality and reliability of CZ launchers.

"We will further improve the payload capacity and reliability of China's Long March launch vehicle series and make the rocket propellant pollution free, while raising the quality and success rate of the rockets," Wang said. "This will mean better launch services for customers at home and abroad."

CASC cited an overall success rate of 90 percent in the 60 launches of CZ rockets in the past thirty years.

Wang also said that the space industry would place an emphasis on developing civil applications of space technologies that relate to economic development, particularly applications to the underdeveloped western region of China.

This includes development of satellites and technologies in telecommunications, remote sensing and disaster mitigation. The goal is to establish integrated space- and terrestrial-based communication networks which would address critical issues such as accessing the information highway, broadcasting and remote-education, traffic management, along with monitoring and controlling environmental pollution.

Yesterday (April 24) another significant ceremony was held in Beijing. The Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense convened to celebrate the historic event on the 30th anniversary day.

According to Xinhua news agency, senior officials from the Commission and the military branch attended the ceremony. Also present were top representatives from the related Chinese academies and the space industry.

During the ceremony a congratulatory letter from the Vice-Premier Wu Bangguo was read. Wu urged scientists and engineers "to work as hard as ever to ensure that the country's fledgling space industry develops in a healthy, orderly, and rapid manner."

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