China builds world’s largest radio telescope

China has hoisted the final piece into position on what will be the world’s largest radio telescope, which it will use to explore space and help in the hunt for extraterrestrial life. The Five Hundred Metre Aperture Spherical Telescope, or Fast, is the size of 30 football fields and has been cut out of a mountain in the south-western province of Guizhou. The telescope, which has taken about five years to

build, is expected to begin operations in September. Advancing China’s space programme is a priority for Beijing, with President Xi Jinping calling for the country to establish itself as a space power.

China’s ambitions include putting an astronaut on the moon by 2036 and building a space station. It has begun work on the latter. China insists its programme is for peaceful purposes but the US defence department has highlighted China’s increasing space capabilities, saying it is pursuing activities aimed to prevent adversaries from using space-based assets in a crisis.

Beijing’s ambitions include putting a man on the Moon by 2036 and building a space station – work on which has already begun.