China and the United Kingdom recently kicked off a new project for the Future-Generation Space Telescope Research. The project was launched on October 24 in Changchun of northeast China. 

The Ultra-Large Aperture On-Orbit Assembly Project is led by the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics (CIOMP) affiliated to the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the University of Surrey (UoS), UK. 

Space telescope on-orbit assembly technology is a completely new field. How to complete the telescope automation, intelligent assembly is faced with a series of technical problems. CIOMP, in cooperation with the UoS, will develop the main key technologies needed for on-orbit assembly of space telescopes and jointly contribute to the promotion of human science and technology development.

The project will develop a 10m level aperture on-orbit assembly space telescope for a range of space science applications, all of which involve complex cooperation in technical planning, conceptual design and review, and demonstrating key technologies and manufacturing proof-of-concept prototypes. 

The research collaboration will also aim to establish international partnerships towards "On-orbit Assembly International Science Organization” (OAISO), to help promote and develop future international space missions for the underpinning technologies. 

This research project has emerged from active exchanges between the two organizations in September 2016. An MOU was signed by the President and Vice Chancellor of UoS, Professor G Q Max Lu, and CIOMP President JIA Ping. Both parties agreed to explore a range of collaborative endeavors, including the initiation and launch of a joint laboratory. 

The start of the CIOMP/UoS joint project  will enhance the China/UK cooperation in astronomy and space technology. It is surely set to become a shining star.