Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization (CSU) was founded in 1993, and its former name was GESSA which is now still in use. GESSA is dedicated to the space science and utilization in China’s Manned Space Program. Initially in 1994, GESSA and Center for Space Science and Applied Research (CSSAR) were merged as one entity of CAS; however, in the year of 2003, GESSA became a part of Academy of Opto-Electronics, CAS. Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization (CSU) which belongs to Chinese Academy of Science (CAS) formally established as an independent entity in August 2011, to meet the requirements of national strategies to develop pioneering utilization systems in Chinese space station, standing in the domestic and international frontiers in space science.

CSU now has 3 departments: Department of System Engineering, Department of Techniques and Department of Strategy Development. Each department has its own function: Dept. of Sys Eng. takes the responsibility of payload operation, software test, system integration and test, parallel design and simulation and system design; Dept. of Techniques takes the responsibility of integrated support, structure and thermal and electric information. Data utilization, space exploration and strategic plan are the responsibility of Dept. of strategy & Development. CSU has successfully implemented the multi-discipline researches in Shenzhou and Tiangong missions of China’s Manned Space Program. Currently, it is on the way of planning and implementing the utilization programs on CSS, leading the development of manned space science and utilization in China.