40 Years of Space Astronomy in China

Abstract

In the past 40 years, Chinas space astronomy has achieved tremendous development. Especially in the past 10 years, several astronomical satellites have been launched, and several astronomical satellites will be launched in the next few years. In this paper, firstly the history of international space astronomy is briefly reviewed, then the development of space astronomy in China over the past 40 years is reviewed and summarized, including the first astronomical satellite plan in the 1970s, balloon-borne space astronomical exploration, space astronomy experiments based on Chinese manned space program and astronomical satellites. Chinas space astronomy missions are also briefly introduced, and space astronomy in China in the next 10 years is prospected.