The 7th China Aeronautical Science and Technology Conference (CASTC 2024) concluded on Wednesday in Chengdu City in southwest China's Sichuan Province after highlighting significant annual technological breakthroughs and addressing key issues in the sector.
The three-day annual conference, organized by the Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics (CSAA), unveiled four major technological breakthroughs in the aeronautical sector for 2024, covering advancements across various areas of the aviation industry.
In the field of aviation engines, China's independently developed AES100 turboshaft engine successfully completed its airworthiness test. In flight control, an aircraft featuring dual synthetic jets and active flow control was successfully developed. In the development of aviation engines, the country's first large-scale aviation engine 3D numerical simulation software, Taihang CAE, has successfully passed technical acceptance and evaluation. In the field of civil aircraft airworthiness certification, China's homegrown Y12F aircraft has obtained the type certificate from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Meanwhile, 92 technological achievements were awarded the 2024 CSAA Science and Technology Awards at the conference, along with the top 10 key scientific and technological issues in the aviation sector for 2024.
"It (The conference) focuses particularly on critical and widely-used technologies that are urgently needed, cutting-edge technologies, modern engineering technologies, and revolutionary technologies. It also addresses interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral issues," said Yu Ce, an assistant secretary-general of the CSAA.
To effectively promote the development of the low-altitude economy industry, the CSAA also released a "2024 White Paper on Low-Altitude Economy Scenarios" during the conference.
The white paper outlined the top 100 low-altitude scenarios and provided detailed analyses of each scenario's application areas, key technologies, and typical cases, offering important references for the government and industry in the construction of the low-altitude economy.
China releases annual major technological breakthroughs in aeronautical sector
Marking China's 11th Space Day, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) introduced major space projects in the 15th Five-Year Plan period on Friday in Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan in the southwest, the main venue of a series of events marking this day.
Jointly sponsored by the CNSA and the provincial government, the event revealed major sci-tech achievements and space industry updates, with Shan Zhongde, head of the CNSA, introducing China's major space projects to be implemented in the next five years.
"In the areas of entering space, utilizing space, exploring space, and governing space, we will intensify the efforts to carry out key projects including manned spaceflight, lunar probe, planetary probe, and the national satellite internet. We will pace up the demonstration and launch of a new generation of space-power initiatives such as heavy-lift rockets, reusable launch vehicles, and next-generation national space infrastructure. In the fields of lunar and planetary probe, asteroid defense, on-orbit service, and space debris mitigation, we will deepen international collaboration, build the International Lunar Research Station, have in-depth engagement in global space governance, and create an open and cooperative landscape for China's space industry to build a community with a shared future for mankind," Shan said.
The CNSA also released a series of updates marking the Space Day, including the latest lunar discoveries from the Chang'e-5 mission, two new minerals named magnesiochangesite-(Y) and changesite-(Ce), selected international partners for the Tianwen-3 Mars mission, announcement of international cooperation opportunities for the Xihe-2 mission, and the Version 1.0 of the Commercial Space Standards System.
On the same occasion, Xie Jun, deputy chief designer of the BeiDou system, Zhang Bing, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and veteran astronaut Ye Guangfu, were appointed as the 2026 China Space Public Welfare Ambassadors.
More than 30 side events will take place across Chengdu during the Space Day period. Highlights include a space science exhibition at the Chengdu New International Convention and Exhibition Center, a VR sci-fi drama aimed at extending space knowledge, and the Space Wish Initiative launched by the China Media Group (CMG), inviting the public to share their stories related to space.
"We plan to put up over 30 activities in various forms with rich content for the Space Day to give people a feeling for the evolution and dynamism of China's space program. Aside from offering academic exchange platforms for professionals, we place more emphasis on engaging the public, particularly young people, in carrying forward the spirit and culture of space exploration," said Wang Cheng, secretary-general of the China Space Foundation.
Officials introduces space projects in 15th 5-Year Plan period
