People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force

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People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force
中国人民解放军战略支援部队
Emblem of the People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force
Founded	31 December 2015 (2015-12-31)
Disbanded	19 April 2024 (2024-04-19)
Country	People's Republic of China
Allegiance	Chinese Communist Party
Type	Space force Cyber force
Role	Space warfare Cyber warfare Electronic warfare Psychological warfare
Part of	People's Liberation Army
March	《我们是刀尖，我们是铁拳》 ("We Are the Knife Point, We Are the Iron Fist")
Website	chinamil.com.cn
Insignia
Badge	The emblem of PLASSF
Sleeve insignia

People's Liberation Army
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Aerospace Force Cyberspace Force Information Support Force Joint Logistics Support Force
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v t e

The People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force was a service branch of the People's Liberation Army that existed from December 2015 to April 2024.

With an aim to improve the army's ability to fight what China terms "informationized conflicts" and enhance the PLA's power projection capabilities in space and cyberspace, the PLASSF was a force purportedly designed to break stovepipes in the intelligence sharing and coordination departments of the different branches.

On April 19, 2024, the Strategic Support Force was dissolved and split into three independent arms: the People's Liberation Army Aerospace Force, the People's Liberation Army Cyberspace Force and the People's Liberation Army Information Support Force.

History

At the 2015 China Victory Day Parade, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) general secretary and Central Military Commission (CMC) chairman Xi Jinping announced sweeping reforms to the structure of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the state security apparatus. On 22 December 2015, the Chinese PLA newsletter, Liberation Army Daily, reported that as part of the joint military exercises taking place that same year, strategic and logistical support forces were included in those exercises along with Intelligence and other high-profile units among the Central Military Commission.

On 31 December 2015, the PLA Strategic Support Force held its first annual meeting at the Bayi Building in Beijing. In attendance were the CMC leadership and leaders of the PLA Ground Force and Rocket Force. CMC Chairman Xi Jinping was also in attendance, giving out military flags and instructional speeches, along with CMC Vice Chairmen and CCP Political Department members Fan Changlong and Xu Qiliang. Fan Changlong read out the CMC's orders and decisions issued by Chairman Xi on the formation of the PLA's leadership and forces, while Vice Chairman Xu Qiliang presided over the meeting.

On 1 January 2016, the next day, Yang Yujun of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense issued a statement on the new Strategic Support Force describing it as formed by the "functional integration" of various support forces that are strategic, basic, and supportive. Another expert, Rear Admiral Yin Zhuo of the PLA Navy, noted:

The major mission of the PLA Strategic Support Force is to give support to the combat operations so that the PLA can gain regional advantages in the space warfare and cyber warfare domains, and to ensure smooth operations.

Specifically, the objectives of the strategic support force were to include:

• target acquisition
• reconnaissance
• undertaking daily navigation operations, space reconnaissance, and management of Beidou satellites
• undertaking electronic and cyber warfare and countermeasures

Unlike the PLA Rocket Force, the Strategic Support Force is more dedicated to 5th Generation Information Warfare and is structured to engage in the information space, with emphasis on electronic countermeasures, network offense and defense, satellite management, and some of the functions of logistical supply and dispatch. It also responsible for influence operations, cyberwarfare, and electronic warfare.

On 24 July 2019, the government white paper "China's National Defense in a New Era" published by the State Council Information Office stated:

The strategic support force is a new type of combat force to maintain national security and an important growth point for new combat capabilities, including battlefield environment protection, Information Assurance and Communication Security, Information Security, testing and integrating emerging technologies, among other things.

In April 2024, the Strategic Support Force was dissolved in a reorganization.

Organizational structure

The PLASSF leadership and administrative officials are stationed at their headquarters in the Haidian District of Beijing; the functional departments and leadership of the subordinate units are stationed here. The PLASSF oversees all units responsible for psychological warfare, information warfare, space warfare, cyberwarfare, and electronic warfare operations formerly under the former General Staff Department.

This includes the cyber espionage capabilities of the former Third Department, the electronic support measures from the former Fourth Department, and the space-based ISR systems and Aerospace Reconnaissance Bureau and Satellite Main Station, General Political Department, and General Armaments Department, including the launch, telemetry, tracking, and control facilities and research and development organizations.

Functional departments

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General Staff Department

The General Staff Department is under the direction of Admiral Li Shangfu, Chief of Staff. His Deputy Chiefs of Staff are Major General Sun Bo and Major General Zhang Minghua. Subordinated to the General Staff Department is the PLASSF Xingcheng "Rehabilitation" Center.

Political Work Department

The Political Work Department is under the direction of Lieutenant General Feng Jianhua. His Deputy Directors are Major General Chen Jinrong and Major General Huang Qiusheng. Subordinated to the Political Department is the Political Bureau.

Disciplinary Inspection Commission

Also called the PLASSF Supervisory Commission, the Disciplinary Inspection Commission is led by Lieutenant General Yang Xiaoxiang, Secretary. The role of the Disciplinary Inspection Commission is to conduct surveillance and conduct "disciplinary inspections" on PLASSF members in accordance with Article 68 of the March 2018 "Supervision Law" passed by the 13th National People's Congress. The position of Secretary was originally held by Deputy Political Commissar Lu Jiancheng (2016–2019). Subordinated to the Disciplinary Inspection Commission is the Disciplinary Inspection Service.

Space Systems Department

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Stationed at the Haidian District of Beijing, the PLASSF Space Systems Department (SSD) is the consolidation of all PLA's space-based C4ISR systems. As of 2018 it is headed by Lieutenant General Shang Hong, with Lieutenant General Kang Chunyuan acting as political commissar. The Space Systems Department also oversees all of the space launch bases including:

• Unit 63600 - 20th Experimental Training Base (中国人民解放军第二十试验训练基地) / Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (中国酒泉卫星发射中心) (a.k.a. Dongfeng Base or Dongfeng Aerospace City): Stationed at Bugeyin Arila in Dongfeng Town in the Ejin Banner of the Alxa League of Inner Mongolia, Jiuqian was one of the first aerospace launch facilities ever constructed in China. Along with conducting air reconnaissance, it is the main base for testing and launching "Long March" series of carrier rockets, missiles, various test satellites meant for low and medium orbits, application satellites, and crewed spacecraft. The base is also responsible for the main recovery missions.
• Unit 63650 - 21st Experimental Training Base (中国人民解放军第二十一试验训练基地) / Malan Nuclear Test Base (中国核试验基地): Stationed at the western ends of Lop Nur and Nairenkeer Townships of Heshuo County in the Bayingoleng Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Base 21 serve as a nuclear launch and test site. It is the home of military unit designated in declassified literature as Unit 0673. According to Chinese public statements, the Base hasn't conducted nuclear weapons testing, but there is no way to verify. Aside from that, it is the home to various Scientific and Technological research projects.
• Unit 63680 - 23rd Experimental Training Base (中国人民解放军第二十三试验训练基地) / Aerospace Ocean Survey Ship Base (航天远洋测量船基地): Stationed at Jiangyin City in the Jiangsu Province, the base was established in 1978 as a harbor for Yuanwang Class Aerospace Survey Ships used to track missiles and rocket launches as part of the testing of the Dongfeng series ballistic missiles. The base is under the direction of Major General Wu Jingao with Major General Zhuang Yan as his Political Commissar.
• 25th Experimental Training Base (中国人民解放军第二十五试验训练基地) / Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center (中国太原卫星发射中心): Stationed in Kelan County of Xinzhou City in the Shanxi Province, the launch base was constructed in March 1967 under Project 3201 as a response to the breakdown of Sino-Soviet relations. The base was constructed deep in the mountains and deliberately misnamed as part of the Chinese strategy of "backing, concealment, and dispersion". The site mostly served as a nuclear missile site and as a detachment of Jiuqian until its breakaway in January 1976. The launch center was opened to international commercial launches in the 1990s with its launch of two U.S. Iridium satellites into orbit.
• Unit 63750 - 26th Experimental Training Base (中国人民解放军第二十六试验训练基地) / Xi'an Satellite Measurement and Control Center (中国西安卫星测控中心): Stationed at No. 28 Xianning East Road in Xi’an City of Shaanxi Province, the base was established in September 1975 as a missile measurement and tracking base and is now the operations and control center for China Aerospace and the backup flight control center for Beijing Aerospace. They conduct launch monitoring, tracking and measurement, as well as launch recovery.
• Unit 63790 - 27th Experimental Training Base (中国人民解放军第二十七试验训练基地) / Xichang Satellite Launch Center (西昌卫星发射中心): Headquartered on the Hangtian North Road of Xichang City in the Sichuan Province. It is also home to the Wenchang Aerospace Launch Site.
• Unit 63880 – 33rd Experimental Training Base (中国人民解放军第三十三试验训练基地) / Luoyang Electronic Equipment Test Center (中国洛阳电子装备试验中心): Stationed at Luoyang in the Henan Province, Base 33 serves as the metrology and instrument measurement center. They also conduct astronomical mapping and surveying. This base is one of the most restricted bases in China and was off limits to foreigners until the 1980s during the decommission of various military installations. However, it is still in use and under the control of the CMC Equipment Development Department.
• China Aerodynamics Research and Development Center (29th Testing and Training Base)
• Space Telemetry, Tracking, and Control
• Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center
• Telemetry, Tracking, and Control Stations
• Aerospace Reconnaissance Bureau
• Satellite Main Station
• Aerospace Research and Development Center
• Project Design Research Center
• Astronaut Corps

Network Systems Department

The PLASSF Network Systems Department (NSD) is the integration of all PLA information and cyberwarfare capabilities and is believed to have taken over many of the capabilities previously held by the Third and Fourth Departments of the PLA. As of 2018 it was headed by Lieutenant General Zheng Junjie, with Lieutenant General Chai Shaoling as political commissar, both of whom are also serving members of the 13th National People's Congress.

• Unit 61398 (中國人民解放軍61398部隊) / "APT 1": Stationed in the Pudong District of Shanghai, Unit 61398 is rumored to be a secret military hacker unit within the Second Bureau of the CMC Political Department. Though it is recognized by the U.S. Government, its existence has been repeatedly denied by the Chinese Government.
• Unit 61486 (中國人民解放軍61486部隊) / "Putter Panda": Unit 61486 was the designation for the Twelfth Bureau of the CMC Political Department that was caught committing cyber espionage on American, European, and Japanese aerospace companies with the intention to steal secrets.
• Unit 61726 (中國人民解放軍61726部隊) / "Sixth Bureau" (中國人民解放軍總參謀部第三部第六局的代號): Stationed in the Wuchang District of Wuhan in the Hubei Province, is a "hacker" force dedicated to cyberwarfare specifically targeting Taiwan. They are directly subordinate to both the sixth bureau of the CMC Political Work Department and the SSF Network Systems Department. They originated as Unit 57316 stationed in Jingmen before transferring their headquarters to Wuhan sometime in the early 2000s. The Sixth Bureau has offices all over Central China, including: Xiamen City in Fujian Province, Ziling Village of Jingmen City and Xiangyang City in Hubei Province, Nanchang City and the Xiaobu Township in Ningdu County of Ganzhou in Jiangxi Province, and Panlong District of Kunming City in Yunnan Province. It is suspected that the Nanchang detachment is a training detachment. The sixth bureau is also suspected to be embedded in the National Cyber Security College of Wuhan University and its associated research centers and laboratories.
• Unit 61786 (中国人民解放军61786部队) / "Eighth Bureau" (八局): Stationed at the foot of the Yan Mountain range, this is an information technology research institute responsible for intercepting communications from Russia and Central Asia. In 2011, it was commended as the most talented development unit in the PLA.
• NSD 56th Research Institute (第56研究所) / Jiangnan Institute of Computing Technology (江南计算技术研究所): Stationed in Wuxi City in the Jiangsu Province. Founded in June 1951, it was the first computer science and engineering research institute for the PLA. They also conduct research on network systems and communications, information assurance and cybersecurity. This is the home to China's first supercomputer, its first GHz computer, and its first 100 GHz computer. By the 2010s, the institute became the computing powerhouse of the PLA, with automated PCB production lines, CAD software development, a research library and full scale living facilities. As of 2016 the institute employs more than 200 Senior Engineers along with graduate and doctoral students from all over China.
• NSD 58th Research Institute (中国人民解放军战略支援部队第五十八研究所) - stationed in Beijing.
• PLA 316th Hospital (中国人民解放军第三一六医院) - stationed in Beijing.

List of military bases under the NSD:

• Notional Base 31, Nanjing
• Notional Base 32, Guangzhou
• Notional Base 33, Chengdu
• Notional Base 34, Shenyang
• Notional Base 36, Beijing
• Notional Base 38, Kaifeng

Directly subordinate units

• SSF Electronic Countermeasures Brigade (电子对抗旅)Little is known about this unit.

• PLA Strategic Support Force Special Medical Center (中国人民解放军战略支援部队特色医学中心)

Stationed at No. 9 Anxiang Beili, Deshengmen Wai, Chaoyang District of Beijing, it was founded in 1971 as the 514th Hospital of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense. In 1997, it became the General Hospital of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense. In March 1999, it was redesignated as the 306th PLA Hospital. After the 2015 reforms, the Strategic Support Force assumed authority over this hospital. The hospital Dean is Major General Gu Jianwen and its Political Commissar is Major General Zhang Yucai.

• Unit 61716 - People's Liberation Army Base 311 (中国人民解放军三一一基地)Stationed at No. 15 Yuandang Street, Baima North Road in the Gulou District of Fuzhou in the Fujian Province, the Trinity Base was founded in 2005 under the control of the PLA Political Department to conduct "three warfares" operations against Taiwan. The "three warfares" are "Public Opinion Warfare, Psychological Warfare, and Legal Warfare." In 2011, the base was designated as the focal point of all psychological warfare efforts against Taiwan, including assisting in broadcasting propaganda programs thru the Chinese radio stations like Huayi Broadcasting (中国华艺广播公司) and Voice of the Strait. The base itself is also on social media. In 2016, PLASSF assumed control of the base. The base is under the direction of Political Commissar, Major General Mei Huabo.

PLASSF universities

• PLASSF Aerospace Engineering University: Located in Beijing, under the leadership and management of the Space Systems Department, the university was founded in June 1978 as a "Cadre School" under the National Defense Science and Technology Commission. In 1982, the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense assumed authority over the school, and, in 1986, upgraded the school to Command and Technology College. In 1999, the PLA General Armaments department assumed authority and renamed the school to Chinese PLA Equipment Command and Technology Academy. It remained this way until 2011, when the name was shortened to Equipment Academy of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. In 2016, as part of the military reforms, the academy was transferred to the Training Management Division of the Central Military Commission, where it was rebuilt into the Aerospace Engineering University under the Strategic Support Force. Today, the university has more than 20 undergraduate majors, 12 graduate programs, 5 doctoral programs, and 3 post-doctoral research stations. The Dean is Major General Zhou Zhixin and the Political Commissar is Major General Ji Duo.
• PLASSF Information Engineering University: Located in the cities of Zhengzhou and Luoyang in Henan Province, under the leadership and management of the Network Systems Department, the school was founded in October 1971 by the 5th Radio Engineering Brigade of the PLA 1st Foreign Language School into the Chinese PLA Institute of Engineering and Technology in Zhangzhou. In January 1981, the Chinese PLA Luoyang University of Foreign Languages Department of Applied Mathematics and Department of Information Processing were transferred to the Institute of Engineering and Technology. In July 1986, the name was change to the Chinese PLA Information Engineering Institute. In June 1991, CPC General Secretary Jiang Zemin wrote the following inscription for the school: "Promote the school spirit of strict diligence, unity and dedication, and establish a distinctive and high-level key science and engineering military academy." In 1995, it was identified by the Central Military Commission as one of the 17 key construction academies of the PLA. The following institutes are subordinate to IEU:
  • S&T Research Department (科研部)
  • Training Department (训练部)
  • Command Information Systems Academy (指挥信息系统学院)
  • Electronic Technology Academy (电子技术学院)
  • Encryption Engineering Academy (密码工程学院)
  • Foreign Language Academy (外国语学院) in Luoyang
  • Geospatial Information Academy (地理空间信息学院)
  • Cyberspace Security Academy (网络空间安全学院)
  • Navigation and Aerospace Target Engineering Academy (导航与空天目标工程学院)
  • Command Officer Basic Education Academy (指挥军官基础教育学院)
  • Blockchain Academy (区块链研究院; located in Shenzhen)

As for the Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center, they are tasked with conducting launch monitoring, tracking and measurement, as well as launch recovery.

Unit 63790 - 27th Experimental Training Base / Xichang Satellite Launch Center

Headquartered on the Hangtian North Road of Xichang City in the Sichuan Province. It is also home to the Wenchang Aerospace Launch Site.

Unit 63880 - 33rd Experimental Training Base / Luoyang Electronic Equipment Test Center

Stationed at Luoyang in the Henan Province, Base 33 serves as the metrology and instrument measurement center. They also conduct Astronomical mapping and surveying. This base is the most restricted bases in China and was off limits to foreigners until the 1980s during the decommission of various military installations. However, it is still in use and under the control of the CMC Equipment Development Department.

• China Aerodynamics Research and Development Center (29th Testing and Training Base)
• Space Telemetry, Tracking, and Control
• Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center
• Telemetry, Tracking, and Control Stations
• Aerospace Reconnaissance Bureau
• Satellite Main Station
• Aerospace Research and Development Center
• Project Design Research Center
• Astronaut Corps

Ranks

Officers

Rank group	General/Flag/Air officers										Senior officers						Junior officers								Officer cadet
PLA Strategic Support Force v t e
			上将 Shàngjiàng		中将 Zhōngjiàng		少将 Shàojiàng				大校 Dàxiào	上校 Shàngxiào	中校 Zhōngxiào		少校 Shàoxiào		上尉 Shàngwèi		中尉 Zhōngwèi			少尉 Shàowèi			学员 Xuéyuán

Enlisted

Rank group	Senior NCOs																						Junior NCOs						Enlisted
PLA Strategic Support Force v t e
	一级军士长 Yījí jūnshìzhǎng			二级军士长 Èrjí jūnshìzhǎng			三级军士长 Sānjí jūnshìzhǎng		四级军士长 Sìjí jūnshìzhǎng		上士 Shàngshì						中士 Zhōngshì						下士 Xiàshì						上等兵 Shàngděngbīng						列兵 Lièbīng

Notes

1. ^ Chinese: 信息化战争; pinyin: xìnxīhuà zhànzhēng

References

1. ^ Ni, Adam (May 29, 2019). "The People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force: Update 2019". Jamestown Foundation. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
2. ^ a b "Chinese PLA embraces a new system of services and arms: Defense spokesperson - China Military". eng.chinamil.com.cn. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
3. ^ Pollpeter, Kevin; Chase, Michael; Heginbotham, Eric (2017). The Creation of the PLA Strategic Support Force and Its Implications for Chinese Military Space Operations. RAND Corporation. doi:10.7249/rr2058. ISBN 978-0-8330-9872-6.
4. ^ "China Takes Bold Steps Toward Military Reform" (11 January 2016)
5. ^ Yao Jianing, ed. (6 January 2016). "Expert: PLA Strategic Support Force a key force to win wars". China Military Online. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
6. ^ Newman, Lily Hay (December 20, 2018). "Hacking Diplomatic Cables Is Expected. Exposing Them Is Not". Wired. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
7. ^ "China intensifies disinformation, cyberattacks on Taiwan: report". The Nikkei. 26 November 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-25.
8. ^ "Xi Orders China's Biggest Military Reorganization Since 2015". Bloomberg News. 2024-04-19. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
9. ^ a b PLA Strategic Support Force: The 'Information Umbrella' for China's Military The Diplomat 1 April 2017
10. ^ "Public Bidding Announcement for the Finalist Project of Hardware and Electrical Engineering of the 61726 Troops (中国人民解放军61726部队五金机电入围项目公开招标公告)". China Government Procurement Network (中国政府采购网). 3 May 2018. Archived from the original on 14 September 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
11. ^ "Critical Node: Taiwan's Cyber Defense and Chinese Cyber-Espionage". Jamestown. 5 December 2013. Archived from the original on 22 April 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
12. ^ "How does Taiwan respond to China's gray zone actions (Liao Hongxiang)". Apple Daily. 14 September 2020. Archived from the original on 14 September 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
13. ^ Lindsay, Jon R.; Cheung, Tai Ming; Reveron, Derek S. (2015). China and Cybersecurity: Espionage, Strategy, and Politics in the Digital Domain. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-020127-2.
14. ^ a b Stokes, Mark A.; Lin, Jenny; Hsiao, Russell (11 November 2011). "The Chinese People's Liberation Army Signals Intelligence and Cyber Reconnaissance Infrastructure" (PDF). Project 2049 Institute. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 September 2020.
15. ^ "China's attack on Taiwan's Internet base camp hides in Wuhan University (中國對台網攻大本營 藏身武漢大學)". Liberty Times (Taiwan). 9 March 2015. Archived from the original on 12 December 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
16. ^ "Military secrets revealed by Xi Jinping's circular (習近平通令透露的軍事機密)". Ming Pao (Hong Kong). Archived from the original on 12 November 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
17. ^ a b Burton, Rachel (25 September 2018). "The People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force: Leadership and Structure" (PDF). Project 2049 Institute.
18. ^ a b Beauchamp-Mustafaga, Nathan; Drun, Jessica. "Exploring Chinese Military Thinking on Social Media Manipulation Against Taiwan". China Brief. Jamestown Foundation. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
19. ^ Kania, Elsa (2017-02-15). "The Role of PLA Base 311 in Political Warfare against Taiwan (Part 3)". Global Taiwan Institute. Retrieved 2023-12-09.

v t e People's Liberation Army
General	History Modernization Budget Equipment Decorations Generals Weapons of mass destruction Information operations and information warfare
Branches	Ground Structure Equipment Infantry Armored forces Artillery Air defense Aviation aircraft Engineers Chemical defense Special operations units Navy Organization Weaponry History Branches: Surface ships aircraft carriers Submarine Coastal Defense Naval Air aircraft Marine Corps special operations units Fleets: North Sea East Sea South Sea Air Aviation aircraft airbases Air Defense Airborne Corps special operations units Rocket Missile operation units Rocket Force corps of engineers Special operations units
Arms	Aerospace Astronaut Corps astronauts Deep Space Network Cyberspace Cyberspace Force Network Systems Department Information Information Support Force Joint Logistics Support Wuhan Joint Logistics Support Base Theater's Joint Logistics Support Centers: Wuxi; Guilin; Xining; Shenyang; Zhengzhou
Structure	Central Military Commission Chairman Vice-Chairmen General Office Joint Staff Intelligence Bureau Guard Bureau Guard Unit Political Work Logistic Support Equipment Development Manned Space Agency Training and Administration National Defense Mobilization Discipline Inspection Strategic Planning Reform and Organizational Structure International Military Cooperation Audit Office Offices Administration Theater Commands Eastern Southern Hong Kong Macau Western Tibet Northern Central Military regions (defunct) Shenyang Beijing Lanzhou Jinan Nanjing Guangzhou Chengdu
Ranks	Ground Force Navy Air Force
Uniform	Xingkong (camouflage) Type 07 Type 99 (camouflage) Type 97 Service Dress
Institutions	Academy of Military Science National Defence University National University of Defense Technology Army Command College PLA Air Force Aviation University Academic institutions of the armed forces of China
Publications	PLA Daily August First Film Studio CCTV-7 The Science of Military Strategy Defense White Paper
Paramilitary	People's Armed Police China Coast Guard Special police units Snow Leopard Commando Unit Mountain Eagle Commando Unit Militia Maritime Militia Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps
Contractors	China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation China National Electronics Import & Export Corporation Norinco China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation Poly Technologies Seven Sons of National Defence
Armed conflicts Korean War Authorized defense products dealer

v t e List of space forces and space commands
Space forces	China Colombia France Iran Russia Spain United States
Air forces with space units and formations	Australia Brazil Canada Germany Iran Israel Japan Netherlands New Zealand North Korea Pakistan Thailand Turkey United Kingdom Vietnam
Space commands	Australia Brazil France India Italy Japan NATO NORAD Peru Russia South Korea United Kingdom United States
Ranks and insignia of space forces

v t e Politics of outer space
Spacefaring nations Space policy Space traffic management Space debris management Space Debris Working Group Space Debris Committee Planetary protection principle Post-detection policy Asteroid impact Prediction Avoidance Spaceguard The Spaceguard Foundation
Space races	Cold War space race Sputnik crisis Timeline Billionaire space race Mars race Records Space propaganda Space competition
Chinese space program	Two Bombs, One Satellite doctrine (1966–1976) Shuguang program (1966–1972) Chinese ASAT program (1964–) 2007 test Project 921 (1992–) Shenzhou program Tiangong program Space station Chinese Lunar Exploration Program (2003–) Mars and beyond Planetary Exploration of China (2016–) MARS-500 study
ESA Science Programme	European Launcher Development Organisation (1960–1975) Europa launcher programme (1962–1973) European Space Research Organisation (1964–1975) European Space Agency (1975–) EU/ESA Space Council European Cooperation for Space Standardization European Space Research and Technology Centre Concurrent Design Facility European Astronaut Centre ESA Centre for Earth Observation Living Planet Programme European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications European Data Relay System Space Telescope European Coordinating Facility (1983–2010) European Space Astronomy Centre (2005–) European Space Security and Education Centre European Space Operations Centre ESTRACK network Guiana Space Centre Ariane launcher programme (1973–) Vega launcher programme (1998–) European Space Policy Institute Space Situational Awareness Programme Future Launchers Preparatory Programme Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle PRIDE Space Rider ESA Television Mars and beyond Mars Exploration Joint Initiative MARS-500 study Aurora programme ExoMars Horizon 2000 (1985–1995) SOHO Cassini–Huygens Huygens Cluster Cluster II XMM-Newton Rosetta INTEGRAL Herschel Planck Horizon 2000 Plus (1995–2015) ISS programme Politics Gaia LISA Pathfinder BepiColombo Cosmic Vision (2015–2025) Solar Orbiter Euclid ARIEL EnVision CHEOPS JUICE ATHENA LISA Comet Interceptor SMILE
EU Space Programme	Western European Union Satellite Centre (1992–2002) EU Satellite Centre (2002–) EU/ESA Space Council EU Commission DG Defence Industry and Space European GNSS Supervisory Authority (2004–2010) European GNSS Agency (2010–2021) EU Agency for the Space Programme (2021–) Galileo programme Copernicus programme EGNOS programme EUSST programme Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications European Union Aviation Safety Agency European Network of Civil Aviation Safety Investigation Authorities European Defence Agency Europe by Satellite
Other European initiatives and bodies	AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe Eurospace Eurocontrol Council of Europe Council of European Aerospace Societies European Broadcasting Union European Civil Aviation Conference European Committee for Standardization/European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations European Telecommunications Standards Institute European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites European Patent Organisation European Patent Office European Telecommunications Satellite Organization European Southern Observatory Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Indian space policy	Department of Space Indian Human Spaceflight Programme Space Activities Bill Indian ASAT programme Mission Shakti
British space programme	Creation of the British National Committee for Space Research (1958) Start of the Ariel programme (1962) Black Arrow launcher (1964–1971) Creation of the British National Space Centre (1985) Outer Space Act 1986 Project Juno (1991) Space Innovation and Growth Team (2009–2010) Creation of the UK Space Agency (2010) Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 Space Industry Act 2018 UK Global Navigation Satellite System (2018–2020) 2021 Integrated Review Defence in a Competitive Age
US space policy	Truman space policy Operation Paperclip list of scientists Aerobee rocket program RAND Establishment of Cape Canaveral Eisenhower space policy WS-117L Project Vanguard Sputnik crisis Introduction to Outer Space 1958 NASA Act Space Act Agreement Cancellation of Man in Space Soonest Launch of Project Mercury Missile gap Launch of X-15 program Kennedy space policy Launch of the Mariner program Launch of the Gemini project Launch of the Apollo program "We choose to go to the Moon" Johnson space policy 1967 Outer Space Treaty Nixon space policy Moon landing Extra-Terrestrial Exposure Law Launch of the Space Shuttle Program Skylab Ford space policy Apollo–Soyuz Launch of the Viking program Carter space policy Reagan space policy Citizens' Advisory Council Strategy of Technology doctrine Strategic Defense Initiative Space Station Freedom proposal 1984 Space Act 1985 anti-satellite missile test Space Shuttle Challenger disaster Rogers Report Ride Report George H. W. Bush space policy Space Exploration Initiative 1990 Augustine Committee Hubble Space Telescope National Space Council Clinton space policy Faster, better, cheaper Gore–Chernomyrdin Commission ISS Shuttle–Mir program ISS programme Politics Launch of the Mars Exploration Program 1998 Space Act Decadal Planning Team Launch of the X-37 program George W. Bush space policy Aerospace Industry Commission 2002 National missile defense directive Space Shuttle Columbia disaster Vision for Space Exploration Aldridge Commission ESAS 2005 NASA Act Launch of the Constellation program Operation Burnt Frost Obama space policy 2009 Augustine Committee Kennedy Space Center speech Cancellation of the Constellation program Launch of the Space Launch System program Redesign of the Orion program Flexible path Mars Exploration Joint Initiative 2010 NASA Act Title 51 Space Shuttle retirement Development of the Commercial Crew Program 2014 NASA Act 2015 Space Act Trump space policy Re-establishment of the National Space Council Creation of the Space Force Launch of the Artemis program Launch of the Lunar Gateway project Executive Order 13959 China exclusion policy of NASA International Traffic in Arms Regulations Full-spectrum dominance doctrine Budget of NASA House Committee on Space NESDIS Office of Space Commerce FCC FAA/AST NRO IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society Antennas & Propagation Society Broadcast Technology Society Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society Vehicular Technology Society
USSR and Russia	Soviet space program Stalin Operation Osoaviakhim (1946) list of scientists Khrushchev Sputnik program Sputnik crisis (1957) Vostok program (1960–1963) Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (1960–1982) Soviet crewed lunar programs (1961–1976) Voskhod program (1964–1966) Brezhnev Soyuz program (1967–) Interkosmos (1967–1991) Salyut program (1971–1986) Almaz (1973–1977) Buran program (1974–1993) Apollo–Soyuz (1975) Gorbachev Mir (1986–2001) Roscosmos Yeltsin Gore–Chernomyrdin Commission ISS (1993–) Shuttle–Mir program ISS programme Politics Medvedev Medvedev modernisation programme 2010 Military doctrine Putin United Rocket and Space Corporation (2013–2015) 2014 Military doctrine 2015 Creation of Roscosmos Mars MARS-500 study ExoMars
Other policies	Australian space program Brazilian space program Emirati space program Japanese space program Kazakh space program Kenyan space program Lebanese space program North Korean space program Pakistani space program Space programme 2040 Philippine space program Ugandan space initiatives International Space Station programme Politics of the International Space Station
United Nations	International Civil Aviation Organization ITU-R Office for Outer Space Affairs UN-SPIDER Space Generation Advisory Council Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space General Assembly Fourth Committee
Other intergovernmental or inter-agency bodies	African Space Agency Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems Committee on Earth Observation Satellites Committee on Space Research International Planetary Data Alliance International Cospas-Sarsat Programme Group on Earth Observations Global Standards Collaboration Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee International Charter 'Space and Major Disasters' International Mobile Satellite Organization International Space Exploration Coordination Group International Space Station Multilateral Coordination Board International Telecommunications Satellite Organization Intersputnik Orbital Debris Co-ordination Working Group Regional African Satellite Communication Organization Arab Satellite Communications Organization Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization
Space law	Partial Test Ban Treaty (1963) Outer Space Treaty (1967) Rescue Agreement (1968) Space Liability Convention (1972) US-USSR Cooperation Agreement (1972) Satellite Convention (1974) Registration Convention (1975) Bogota Declaration (1976) Moon Treaty (1979) Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (1981) International Cospas-Sarsat Programme Agreement (1988) International Space Station Intergovernmental Agreement (1998) International Docking System Standard International Charter 'Space and Major Disasters' (1999) Cape Town Treaty, Space Assets protocol (2012) Artemis Accords (2020) Space jurisdiction Common heritage of mankind Extraterrestrial real estate Astronomical naming conventions ITU Radio Regulations CCSDS standards ODCWG standards CEOS standards COSPAR standards International Designator IPDA standards GSC standards GEO standards ISECG standards Various conventions, treaties, agreements, memorandums, charters or declarations establishing and governing intergovernmental organisations or inter-agency bodies dealing with space affairs
Commercial use	Space industry India Russia United Kingdom United States Private spaceflight Launch market competition Space tourism Space advertising Space technology Space-based economy Space trade Space manufacturing Lunar resources Project Harvest Moon Asteroid mining
Militarisation	Space forces, units and formations Space forces Australia Brazil Canada China Colombia France Germany Iran AJA IRGC Israel Japan Netherlands New Zealand North Korea Pakistan Russia Spain Thailand Turkey United Kingdom United States History Structure Vietnam Ranks and insignia Space commands France India Italy NATO  NORAD United Kingdom United States Space warfare Space domain awareness Space weapon Anti-satellite weapon China India Russia United States Kinetic bombardment Kill vehicle Missile defense Military satellite Reconnaissance satellite Spaceplane Satellite jamming
Space advocacy	Air & Space Forces Association Alliance for Space Development National Space Society Space Frontier Foundation Mars Society Moon Society Students for the Exploration and Development of Space Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies British Interplanetary Society Coalition for Deep Space Exploration International Academy of Astronautics International Astronautical Federation International Astronomical Union Lunar Explorers Society Space Exploration Alliance Space Fellowship Space Force Association Space Foundation The Planetary Society

v t e Public-sector space agencies
Africa	Pan-African and Pan-Arab RASCOM Arabsat National ASAL EGSA NARSS ESSTI GSSTC NASRDA SANSA
Americas	North America CSA NASA NESDIS OSC FAA/AST FCC USSF USSPACECOM NRO Latin America and the Caribbean ALCE AEM CONAE ABE AEB DCTA INPE ITA CCE ABAE IVIC
Asia	Pan-Asian APSCO Central Asia KazCosmos1 Roscosmos1 SRI VK TNSA1 East Asia CNSA SASTIND CASC CALT CAST CCF CGWIC PLAASF CASIC JAXA ISAS JSS NICT NATA KASA KARI KASI SaTReC TASA South Asia SPARRSO ISRO 2 Antrix Corp DoS NRSC DSA SUPARCO Southeast Asia LAPAN MYSA PhilSA SSTL GISTDA VNSC Southwest Asia ArmCosmos1 MAKA1 NSSA IRIAF NEHSA ISA ISRC ISA NCSR SSA KACST-SRI SSA2 GORS TUA TÜBİTAK UZAY UAESA (MBRSC)
Europe	Pan-European CEN/CENELEC CEPT ETSI Eurocontrol ECAC ESA ECSS ESRTC EAC ESRIN ECSAT ESAC ESOC ESTRACK Guiana Space Centre EUMETSAT EUTELSAT IGO ESO EU and EEA DG DEFIS EUSPA EU SatCen EASA BEREC ALR 2 BelSPo BIRA-IASB SRTI2 CSO2 DTU Space ESO1 CNES2 AAE CdE DLR2 HSC HSO2 ASI LSA LSO1 SRON NSO NSC POLSA2 CBK PAN UKE KRRiT ORO ULC PTSPACE ROSA2 INTA AEC EAE AEE SNSA Other ArmCosmos1 MAKA1 BSA1 KazCosmos1 Roscosmos1 SRI VKO SSO TUA TÜBİTAK UZAY SSAU1 UKSA 2
Oceania	ASA CSIRO NZSA
World	CCSDS CEOS COSPAR IPDA Cospas-Sarsat GEO GSC IADC ICSMD IMSO ISECG ISS MCB ITSO Intersputnik ODCWG ITU-R UNCOPUOS UNOOSA
Former	BNSC KCST NAL NASDA SSP Interkosmos
See also: Timeline of first orbital launches by country 1 Preceded by the Soviet space program 2 Preceded by Interkosmos participation