Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, December 17, 2002
Leaders Hail 45th Anniversary of Rocket-carrier Institute
The Chinese Institute of Rocket-Carrier Technology, also known as the No.1 Institute of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Group Company, celebrated its 45th founding anniversary Monday.
45th Founding Anniversary of the Chinese Institute of Rocket-Carrier Technology
The Chinese Institute of Rocket-Carrier Technology, also known as the No.1 Institute of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Group Company, celebrated its 45th founding anniversary Monday.
Premier Zhu Rongji, and Vice-Premier Wu Bangguo, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, sent congratulatory messages to the Beijing-based institute on the occasion, encouraging it to contribute still more to the country's aerospace industry.
Cao Gangchuan, a member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau and vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, also wrote a congratulatory letter to the research body.
A ceremony to unveil a bronze statue of Qian Xuesen, the first president of the institute, was held in the morning as part of a series of celebratory events.
The institute developed the prestigious Long March rocket-carriers. So far, it has carried out 58 launchings and sent 61 space probes including 27 foreign satellites and three home-made "Shenzhou" spacecraft into the orbit.
The institute has succeeded with its 20 launchings in the past five years since 1997.