China has increased their global aerospace presence by becoming a launch site for international satellite customers, including earth observation satellites. The China Great Wall Industry Corporation, the commercial platform for the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, will launch five satellites in 2012, a significant portion of the 20 to 30 satellites launched worldwide in a year, with most occuring in Russia and the United States.

The five planned launches include:

• the combined launch of two micro-satellites to monitor the sea for Luxembourg with a January launch date
• two communications satellites for Hong Kong-based APT Satellite Co.
• two remote sensing satellites, one for Venezuela

The increased activity by China gives it at least a 15-percent stake in the satellite launching business. This success in attracting business follows the country's successful launch of a communications satellite for Pakistan in August of 2011, and the launch of a communications satellite for a major European communications provider in October. 2012 will also mark the first China-made remote sensing satellite export with the launch of the Venezualan satellite.

The China Great Wall Industry Corporation has set aggressive goals to take a 15-percent share of the commercial launch market, and a 10 percent share of the satellite export market by 2015.

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