Visit from PR China

Prof. Yi Li, from the Northwestern Polytechnical University (NWPU), the executive deputy of Suzhou Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics (SUSAA),  PR China visited A3 from 4 to 9 September 2023 as part of the cooperation between NPU/SUSAA and A3. Prof. Li is an expert of space science and Suzhou (Suzhou – Wikipedia) is investing heavily in the aerospace industry, so as part of the visit, in addition to the presentation of A3 activities, a visit to Croatian companies and scientific institutions, it was agreed on cooperation in joint projects that would be an upgrade to existing activities that include the exchange of experts. The immediate upcoming activity is the joint organisation of the Brijuna Conference 2025 in China, Suzhou, one of the most important cultural, science and technology centre of China. It is intended that the conferences will be held alternately between Brijuni and Suzhou. The theme of the conference is closely related to the challenges of travelling to distant space.

 

 

 

The first visit was to the Ruđer Bošković Institute.

 

 

 

 

 

Prof. Mile Ivanda, head of the Laboratory of Molecular Physics and Synthesis of New Materials, presented his scientific work at the Institute. Prof. Ivanda showed the laboratories and instruments with which he researches new materials for energy storage, develops ultra-sensitive sensors, uses Raman spectroscopy to analyze the composition of materials down to extremely low impurity densities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the company FACC Solutions Croatia d.o.o., part of the AVIC Group, Mr. Edvin Brčić (COO) and Mr. Matija Ferić (CFO) gave a description of the activities that include the production of components for the interior of aircraft, servicing all the most important airlines. Plans include expansion of production, product range, as well as connection with other sectors of the AVIC group.

 

 

 

 

The company HSTec, part of the Chiron Group, is high technology firm and its production line was presented by Mr. Mladen Šarlija, Managing director CEO, and Mr. Tomislav Marfat, Technical Director COO. The fundamental backbone of the company’s work is the product development from design to delivery to the customer. The company specialises in the production of spindles for extreme conditions and top requirements, as well as the production of top performance robotic systems.

 

 

A meeting with Mr. Marijan Topčić, technical director, and Mr. Danko Kočiš, ICT director and general secretary of A3, at the Multinorm d.o.o., was held via the Internet connection. The firm is a top technological company for the production of tools, but also participates in the production of satellite components in the A3 project. The company Multinorm is a member of the Strama consortium, which has branches in the People’s Republic of China, and there is the possibility of involvement in cooperation projects. Hydrogen is considered one of the most important elements for space activities and its extraction is of great importance on site. At the meeting with Mr. Ivica Jakić, president of H2-Hydrogen Cell Croatia, various extraction methods of this important element were discussed. The possibility of obtaining a scholarship for the study of astronautics at NWPU was discussed at a meeting with Mr. Bogomir Hren, the president of the Croatian Astronautical and Rocket Association, open to young people who are willing to opt for that calling. A special topic that would be important for the Republic of Croatia is to attract the Chinese aviation company to open a plant for the production of parts for their aircraft. At the meeting with Mr. Igor Kekez, a good expert on the state of the aviation sector in the Republic of Croatia, various possibilities for realising this project were discussed. Prof.  Jakov Baleta, from the Faculty of Metallurgy in Sisak, University of Zagreb, also attended the meeting, who shared his experiences in scientific cooperation with partners in the People’s Republic of China.

 

The United Nations/China Cooperation on the Utilization of the China Space Station

The First Announcement of Opportunity for Space Experiments on-board China Space Station

APPLY BY DOWNLOADING, COMPLETING AND SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION FORM . DEADLINE: 31 AUGUST 2018

IMPORTANT LINKS:

First Announcement of Opportunity (PDF Format, English)
Application Form (Word Format, English)
Handbook on China Space Station (PDF Format, English)

Leaflet for UN/China Cooperation on China Space Station

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), in cooperation with the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), is pleased to launch the “United Nations/China Cooperation on the Utilization of the China Space Station” programme under the framework of the UNOOSA’s Human Space Technology Initiative (HSTI). Through this programme, UNOOSA intends to capitalize on the technological and innovative skills of the Government of China to benefit Member States of the United Nations, in particular developing countries, thereby contributing to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through increasing access to space.

The programme is jointly implemented by UNOOSA and CMSA. It provides scientists from around the world with an opportunity to conduct their own experiments on board China’s Space Station (CSS). It is an innovative and future-focused programme to open up space exploration activities to all nations and to create a new paradigm in building capabilities in space science and technology.

The Announcement of Opportunity (AO) is the first invitation for scientific experiments on-board the CSS under the programme. The Handbook provides detailed technical information on the CSS and its resources for international cooperation. Applicants need to provide their proposal for space experiments and information on their team in the Application Form, which will be the mainstay for the preliminary selection.

SCOPE OF OPPORTUNITY

Through this Announcement of Opportunity, UNOOSA and CMSA have agreed to provide Member States of the United Nations with three types of opportunities:

Modality 1: Conducting experiments inside the CSS by utilizing experiment payloads developed by selected applicants.
Modality 2: Conducting experiments inside the CSS by utilizing experiment facilities already provided by China.
Modality 3: Conducting experiments outside the CSS by utilizing payloads developed by selected applicants.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

This opportunity is open to all Member States of the United Nations, with particular attention to developing countries. Public and private organizations with a scientific orientation and fundamental capabilities are eligible to apply. Two or more organizations from developed and developing countries are encouraged to submit a joint application(s). Applicants are responsible for the development of their projects.

APPLICATION SUBMISSION

The fully completed application form, including a signed and stamped endorsement page, must be submitted to UNOOSA by the deadline 31 August 2018 by email and post to the following contact:

c/o: Aimin Niu (Mr.)
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs
United Nations Office at Vienna
Vienna International Centre
P.O. Box 500, A-1400 Vienna, Austria
Phone: (+43 1) 26060-4957
Fax: (+43 1) 26060-5830
Email: aimin.niu@un.org

Press release

United Nations and China invite applications to conduct experiments on-board China’s Space Station (28 May 2018)
United Nations and China agree to increased space cooperation (16 June 2016)