China shifts space race to software
Staff
CNETAsia
November 13, 2003, 11:25 GMT
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Software developed for China's space mission is seeking a wider market
The manufacturer behind China's successful space mission hopes some of its fame will rub off on its software.
The software, developed within China during the past two decades for the space programme, includes the framework software for integrated design management, space flying objects management and a database code-named Oscar, said the People's Daily, a China newspaper.
China's ambitious space program, The China Aerospace Science and Technology Co. (CAST), has an estimated $2bn (£1.19bn) annual budget and over 100,000 employees in more than 130 organisations, including the two software developers.
The software comes from the China Academy of Launch Vehicle technology who developed the "Shenjian" launch vehicle and the China Academy of Space Technology, China's main producer of "Shenzhou" spacecraft and satellites.
Zhang Qingwei, general manager of CAST, said the software should extend beyond the aerospace sector for which it was developed, to national defence and the vast domestic market, such as automobile and electronics manufacturers.
According to the People's Daily report, CAST said the database system can be used in e-government and e-business, as well as unspecified corporate functions.
On Tuesday, CAST created the Beijing Shenzhou Aerospace Software Technology in co-operation with two academies and one of CAST's listed firms, to market the software and develop other software products.
Media coverage of China's space programme was severely limited until the successful launch on 15 October. Since then, the astronaut Lt. Col. Yang has become an "instant hero" to the Chinese public, and the space programme widely known and covered.
Zhang hopes the software will become as well-known a brand as its spacecraft, "Shenzhou" and launch vehicle, "Shenjian".
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