On April 11, 2014, Athena Coustenis, the President Elect of European Science Foundation Space Sciences Committee (ESF/ESSC) visited National Space Science Center (NSSC) to seek potential collaborations with the Chinese Space Science Community.

Prof. WU Ji, Director General of NSSC, introduced the history of Chinese space science and the current as well as the planed space science missions, including the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT), Quantum Experiments at Space Scale (QUESS), Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE), Recoverable Satellite for Microgravity and Space Life Sciences (SJ-10), Magnetosphere-Ionosphere-Thermosphere Coupling Exploration (MIT), Solar Polar Orbit Radio Telescope (SPORT), X-ray Timing and Polarization mission (XTP), Space Millimeter VLBI Array, Einstein-Probe (EP), Search for Terrestrial Exo-Planets (STEP), Advanced Space-borne Solar Observatory (ASO-S) and Water Cycle Observation Mission (WCOM). "International cooperation is fundamental in the Chinese space science missions", Prof. WU emphasized.

Dr. Coustenis made an introduction of the current structure, the work mechanism, the mission of the ESSC as well as its strategic plans. Dr. Coustenis expressed her wish to find the common interests with NSSC, which promises possible cooperation opportunity in the future.

Both parties exchanged opinions on the roadmap study, mission selection procedures and the possibility to share the expertise.

                                                                  Welcome remark made by Prof. WU Ji

Related Links: “Athena Coustenis visits NSSC” from ESF officical website