On Nov.8, 2007, the inauguration ceremony of the China-UK Joint Laboratory of Space Science and Technology was held in Beihang University (BUAA). Dr. Sun Laiyan, Administrator of China National Space Administration (CNSA) and Ms. Barbara Woodward, Minister of the Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to China unveiled the brand of the Laboratory.

The Joint Laboratory is a platform for cooperation between the two countries in the fields of space science and deep space exploration. Under the guidance of the aerospace administrations of both countries, Beihang University and Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory organized relevant research institutes, universities and industries to establish this Joint Laboratory. The first China-UK Training Course for Senior Space Engineers was launched on the same day. More than 18 engineers from CNSA, Beihang University, and astronomical observatories, etc. will go to UK for the training course.