As 2025 draws to a close, China and France celebrate 48 years of groundbreaking space cooperation that has redefined Earth observation capabilities and advanced lunar exploration. This partnership, rooted in mutual technological respect since 1977, continues shaping global aerospace innovation.
From Handshake to Hardware
The collaboration began with a 1977 exchange of aerospace delegations, evolving into formalized cooperation through a 1997 government agreement. Over nearly three decades, joint projects have spanned satellite development, deep space research, and crewed spaceflight programs.
Milestone Achievement
The 2018 launch of the China–France Oceanography Satellite (CFOSat) marked a pivotal shift from equipment trading to co-creation. This jointly developed satellite, operational for seven years, continues providing crucial climate data through its unique wave-scatterometer technology.
Current Collaborative Landscape
Building on these successes, both nations are currently exploring new ventures in lunar sample analysis and next-generation Earth monitoring systems. Industry analysts note this partnership serves as a model for international space cooperation, combining French instrumentation expertise with Chinese launch capabilities.
