China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology
| Company type | State-owned enterprise |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace, Space launch vehicles |
| Founded | 1957 |
| Founder | Dr. Xue-Sen Qian |
| Headquarters | Fengtai District, Beijing , China |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Long Lehao (Chief Designer) |
| Products | Long March series launch vehicles, spaceplanes (in development) |
Number of employees | 33,000+ |
| Parent | China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation |
The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) stands as a prominent state-owned enterprise in China specializing in the design and manufacture of space launch vehicles for both civilian and military applications. It ranks among the world's foremost providers of launch services. CALT functions as a subsidiary under the umbrella of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). Established in 1957 by Dr. Xue-Sen Qian, its main offices are located in Fengtai District, Beijing.
At the heart of CALT's operations is the production of the Long March series, which forms the foundation of China's space launch infrastructure. The organization employs a workforce exceeding 33,000 individuals, with Long Lehao () holding the position of Chief Designer.
From a strategic development perspective, CALT is advancing two single-stage sub-orbital spaceplane projects powered by liquid methane/liquid oxygen propulsion systems: one is a 10-ton vehicle accommodating four passengers capable of reaching an altitude of 100 km at Mach 6; the other is a larger craft weighing 100 tons that can carry 20 passengers to 130 km at Mach 8. The larger model may be equipped with an auxiliary strap-on rocket stage, enabling it to transport 1–2 tons to low Earth orbit (LEO), thereby augmenting China’s orbital launch capabilities.
In 2021, CALT's testing activities played a role in U.S. evaluations indicating that China is progressing toward deployment of a fractional orbital bombardment system, highlighting its growing strategic aerospace advancements.
U.S. sanctions
In August 2020, the United States Department of Defense designated CALT as a “Communist Chinese military company” operating within U.S. jurisdiction. Subsequently, in November 2020, President Donald Trump issued an executive order prohibiting U.S. persons and entities from holding shares in CALT and other companies associated with the People's Liberation Army.
Subsidiaries
- China Energine
- China Rocket, known for developing the Jielong 1