BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The following are the highlights of China's key technology news from the past week:
HELICOPTER MODELS
China has constructed 12 helicopter product platforms covering more than 60 models, chief designer Deng Jinghui of the Helicopter Research and Development Institute under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) said at the launching ceremony of a helicopter design contest in Beijing on Friday.
INFLIGHT INTERNET CONNECTIVITY
China has seen new progress in promoting inflight Internet access, with 13 airlines capable of providing the service, according to civil aviation authorities.
As of the end of June, around 340 airplanes from 13 Chinese airlines had a cabin wireless network service, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said.
ELECTRIC-DRIVE DUMP TRUCK
A new heavy-duty electric-drive dump truck that can be used in mines and hydropower projects has come off the production line in the city of Datong in Shanxi Province.
The giant truck was developed by the CRRC Datong Co. Ltd., a branch of the CRRC Corporation. It can be used for transportation in open-pit mines and large-scale water conservancy and hydropower projects.
NEW GENERATION RECOVERABLE SATELLITE
China is developing a new generation recoverable satellite for commercial use, which is expected to make its maiden flight in 2020.
Delivering a report at a science communication salon recently, Zhao Huiguang, chief designer of the recoverable satellite from the China Academy of Space Technology, said China's new generation recoverable satellite is able to return 500 kg to 600 kg payloads back to Earth from space.
ARCTIC SEA ICE FORECAST
An updated version of the Arctic sea ice short-term forecast system has started operation, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources on Wednesday.
