Expediting new space museum proposed

Speeding up the review and approval process for the construction of a new China Space Museum is among the key proposals made by a national political adviser.

Rong Yi, a senior expert at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, said that as the nation "strives to build itself into a leading space power, there is an urgent need to build a new museum that showcases its achievements in space exploration".

The scientist made the remarks on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, which concluded on Wednesday.

Rong said that among the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China is the only one without a large-scale space museum.

She pointed out that major aerospace museums in the United States receive more than 10 million visitors each year, which not only nurtures a large number of space enthusiasts and professionals, but also generates numerous business opportunities. Russia, France and the United Kingdom all have large-scale space museums of their own, she said.

A new China Space Museum would help to "promote the spirit and culture of our space community" and "serve as a good venue for fostering patriotism and advancing science and technology education", Rong added.

The construction of the existing China Space Museum was approved in October 2019 and the project was completed in November 2022. It replaced the Chinese Space Museum, and was opened to the public in April 2023.

Located in the southern suburbs of Beijing, the museum has a relatively small floor area and is hemmed in by narrow streets and small shops.

Rong said that relevant authorities should take responsibility to lead discussions and review work for the site selection and construction of a new China Space Museum. "The project should be prioritized along with other major space programs and be completed as soon as possible," she said.

According to the scientist, the research complex of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, located in Nanyuan in Beijing's Fengtai district, would be ideal for establishing the new museum.

"The Nanyuan complex is the birthplace of China's space industry. Its western section is home to many heritage sites, including the assembly workshops for the Long March 1 carrier rocket and the DF 1 ballistic missile," Rong said.

"We can leverage these assets to build a 'living' museum that can honor the legacy of past space projects and align with the Beijing municipal government's cultural preservation and development plan," she added.