Institute 704 is a pioneer in my country’s aerospace telemetry and sensing technology and has released dozens of core technology products for commercial aerospace.
Today let’s talk about: the “national team” of commercial aerospace—Institute 704 of the Ninth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology.
1
704 institutes
Founded in 1957, Institute 704 is one of the first professional research institutes for aerospace electronic information technology established in New China, and is also a pioneer in my country’s aerospace telemetry sensing technology. In March 2003, Institute 704 was placed under the management of China Aerospace Times Electronics Company. In February 2009, the Ninth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology was established on the basis of the company.
2
Talent team
704 has more than 2,500 employees, 3 currently employed academicians, more than 600 scientific and technical personnel with senior professional titles, and more than 100 expert group members in various professional fields of aerospace. It has formed a technology R&D and product development scientific research organizational system led by the R&D center and with 24 professional research laboratories as the core.
3
Scientific research layout
The 704 Institute is located in the capital Beijing, forming a complementary scientific research layout with Nanyuan and Yongfeng in Beijing. It also has institutions such as the Shaanxi Xi’an R&D Center and the Anhui Xiuning Aerospace Data Center.
4
Main business
704 takes the four main businesses of information and countermeasures equipment, space information network and payload, aerospace measurement and operation control and test identification, cryptography and information security, and the aerospace technology application industry of intelligent sensing and information services as its pillars to build a “4+1” new professional development pattern.
In June 2021, a series of real-life images of the landing and patrol detection of my country’s Tianwen-1 Mars exploration mission were released. my country’s first Mars sound sensor independently developed by the 704 Institute successfully detected the sound data on Mars and transmitted it back to the ground.
5
commercial aerospace applications
On November 25, 2024, the 4D Gaojing-2 satellites 03 and 04 were successfully launched into orbit. The inter-satellite measurement payload subsystem and data transmission payload subsystem developed by 704 provide high-precision dual-satellite positioning time-frequency reference and intelligent data storage and high-speed download services.
Among them, the inter-satellite measurement subsystem uses the 704-type spectralized satellite navigation product, which can provide high-precision time, space, frequency reference and synchronization services for multiple subsystems of ground measurement and control stations and formation satellites; the data transmission sub-system uses the 704-type spectralized, shelf-type storage digital transmission product, which is the first commercial application of its universal digital transmission spectrum products.
6
aerospace rocket co.
In September 1999, Institute 704 officially merged with Beijing Jianhua Electronic Instrument Factory. At the end of the same year, some of the Institute’s assets were exchanged and listed, and the Aerospace Long March Rocket Technology Co., Ltd. was registered in the Beijing Economic and Technological Development Zone.
Within the aerospace system, the relationship between the 704 Institute and the Aerospace Rocket Company is one management entity and two independent legal entities. The Aerospace Rocket Company is an important subsidiary of China Aerospace Times Electronics Company.
7
Entering commercial aerospace
On March 30, 2025, 704 held the 2025 Commercial Aerospace Electronics Product Launch Conference in Beijing. At the meeting, 704 released dozens of core technology products in the “five major professional fields”.
The aerospace measurement and operation control system has released for the first time a space-ground integrated commercial aerospace measurement and control product system, which can fully meet the measurement and control needs of various types of commercial rockets and commercial satellites.
The professional field of space information network released for the first time commercial laser communication payloads such as laser/microwave composite inter-satellite links and comprehensive integrated payloads for relay, data transmission, and routing, which can meet the various transmission needs of commercial space satellites for space data.
Microwave Laser Remote Sensing Detection released for the first time a space-ground integrated commercial aerospace environment remote sensing radar product, covering small satellite rain measurement radar, spaceborne wind measurement lidar, ground-based radar and other products.
The professional direction of satellite navigation released a series of commercial aerospace spaceborne and rocket-borne navigation products for the first time.
The MEMS and sensor professional direction releases a new generation of MEMS and sensor products that represent the development direction of the industry.
In addition, four rounds of commercial aerospace procurement intentions and strategic cooperation signings were held at the press conference, covering the entire industry chain of commercial rockets, satellite manufacturing, and data services. Three rounds of procurement intentions included leading commercial aerospace companies such as Science and Technology Rockets, China Science and Technology Aerospace, Blue Arrow Aerospace, and Galaxy Aerospace.
