Representatives from Sinomach’s subsidiary, ChinaIPPR International Engineering Company Ltd, were present at the inauguration ceremony of the Five hundred meters Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST), the world’s biggest telescope, held in Pingtang county, southwest China's Guizhou province on Sept 25.

Liu Yandong, vice premier of the State Council, read out the congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping and made a speech at the inauguration ceremony of the Five hundred meters Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) on Sept 25, 2016. [Photo/cas.cn (official website of Chinese Academy of Sciences)]

The FAST program announces it has commenced operations on Sept 25, 2016. [Photo/cas.cn (official website of Chinese Academy of Sciences)]

ChinaIPPR, affiliated to China National Machinery Industry Corporation (Sinomach), was responsible for important parts of the FAST project.

It completed the project proposals as part of a joint effort with the National Astronomical Observatories (NAO) and Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2007.

In 2008, the company collaborated with NAO and utilized its superior technologies to fulfill feasibility studies involving in-depth analysis of FAST objectives, including on openness, operational management, and environmental issues, and subsequently presented corresponding technical solutions.

During 2009 to 2010, ChinaIPPR won the bid to be included in the preliminary design of the telescope. Over the two years, the organization developed a construction plan, completed the active reflector system, and took part in an on-site survey and excavation program, along with the NAO and the Guizhou Geological Engineering Investigation Institute. It also cooperated with Harbin Institute of Technology, a key research university in China, and finished the active reflector system.

ChinaIPPR was responsible for management of the whole construction project between 2010 and 2016.

After the completion and launch of FAST, ChinaIPPR earned recognition for its contributions to the project.

The major capabilities ChinaIPPR demonstrated during the FAST program will also greatly promote its progress in scientific research and project management.

The FAST, a single-aperture telescope the size of 30 football pitches, is expected to be the largest of its type in the world, and is considered a game-changer in the field of space research. [Photo/cas.cn (official website of Chinese Academy of Sciences)]

The telescope will search for gravitational waves, detect radio emissions from stars and galaxies, and listen for signs of intelligent life, according to scientists.

"The launch of FAST symbolizes a major breakthrough in China's science research and has great significance for the country's strategy to push forward innovation," President Xi said in the letter.

Chinese scientific experts noted that the gigantic telescope, designed and built by the country’s scientists, will remain a leading facility around the globe for the next 10 to 20 years.