OREANDA-NEWS. October 19, 2011. China's space development history opens a new page. China's self-developed "Tiangong-1" target spacecraft is successfully launched and will complete the space docking experiment, which indicates that China has already had the ability to build the initial space station. The carrier rocket which is equipped with "Tiangong-1" is the newly improved Long March II F carrier rocket and the rocket end  nozzle key material - GH3600 fine thin-walled tube is made by Baosteel. This is another important indication of Baosteel's long-term support for the development of China's aerospace industry, reported the press-centre of Baosteel.

The launch of the "Tiangong-1" target aircraft is a key step in China's manned space industry development process, and it is the second step in the second phase of space launch (space laboratory phase). The building of China's first space laboratory paves the way for the 3rd step, i.e., the construction of the space station. Within two years after the launch, it will complete docking mission with Shenzhou-8, Shenzhou-9, Shenzhou-10.

The improved Long March II F carrier rocket which belongs to China's Long March series is the take-off power.The improvements amounts to 170 items, which enhances the reliability of the launch and operation. As an enterprise with long-term commitment to supporting China's aerospace industry development, Baosteel Special Steel Business Unit concentrates in aerospace special material R & D, accumulates rich experience and technical strength, develops and produces GH3600 fine thin-walled tube which is of stable quality and is successfully applied on Long March series rockets. Baosteel has become the only domestic enterprise which can develop and produce such products and it lays a solid foundation for the launch.

It is known that, with the growth of China's comprehensive strength and the rapid development of space industry, new generation of high-thrust carrier rockets will be needed. By then, Baosteel will continue to improve product quality to meet the needs of China's manned spaceflight and lunar exploration.