Recently, the National Space Administration issued a notice on strengthening the quality supervision and management of commercial space projects (hereinafter referred to as the "Notice"), which pointed out that the quality responsibility of the parties responsible for commercial space projects will be pursued for life.
The Notice states that in order to improve the quality level of commercial space projects, promote the standardization of commercial space quality management, and promote the orderly development of commercial space, in accordance with the current policies and regulations related to space activities in China, the relevant matters of quality supervision and management of commercial space projects are hereby notified as follows:
1、 Overall requirements
（1） This notice applies to the quality supervision and management of the entire life cycle activities of commercial aerospace projects, including research and development, production, testing, launch, operation, service, recovery, and retirement disposal.
The commercial space projects referred to in this notice refer to space projects that are not included in national and military scientific research plans, do not use central financial funds, and are invested and implemented by local governments, enterprises, institutions, social organizations, individuals and other legal persons or natural persons in accordance with market models, with the main responsibility and risk borne by them. Other types of space projects can be implemented with reference.
（2） The basic goal of quality supervision and management for commercial aerospace projects is to establish a quality supervision and management system for commercial aerospace projects, in accordance with relevant laws, regulations, and standards, through the participation of industry regulatory authorities, project contracting parties, project undertaking parties, and third-party professional organizations, improve the industry quality ecology, supervise and manage the process of quality formation, maintenance, restoration, and improvement of commercial aerospace projects, strictly control the quality risks of commercial aerospace projects, and achieve expected goals.
（3） Adhere to the requirements of high-quality development, pursue excellence and innovative development, establish the concept that quality is efficiency, follow the principles of coordinated promotion, ecological improvement, orderly supervision, and continuous improvement, and continuously improve the quality and efficiency of commercial aerospace projects.
（4） The relevant departments of the state are responsible for guiding the quality supervision and management of commercial space projects, formulating relevant policies and standards for quality supervision and management of commercial space projects, and improving the quality supervision and management system and mechanism of commercial space projects.
The undertaking party of commercial space projects is the main body responsible for the quality of commercial space projects, responsible for the quality management and self quality supervision of the entire life cycle activities of commercial space projects.
The contracting party of commercial space projects is the main stakeholder in the impact of quality risks on commercial space projects. Based on the specific level of risk, they can selectively plan and implement external quality supervision activities for the undertaking party of commercial space projects.
Third party professional organizations are entrusted to undertake quality review, independent evaluation, quality supervision, and supervisory evaluation of commercial aerospace projects.
2、 Regarding the Quality Management System
（5） The undertaking party of commercial space projects should establish and operate a verifiable quality management system based on their own actual situation, implement effective quality management for the entire life cycle activities of the commercial space project, implement quality requirements in all aspects of the commercial space project, and achieve the organic integration and continuous improvement of quality management and business.
（6） The quality management of commercial aerospace projects should be based on the principles of enhancing capabilities and strictly controlling risks, carrying out quality infrastructure construction, establishing quality information systems, strengthening process control, and ensuring traceability of activities throughout the entire life cycle.
（7） The undertaking party of commercial aerospace projects should carry out quality management system planning based on reality, formulate quality policies and objectives, and form an implementation plan for the quality management system.
（8） The undertaking party of commercial aerospace projects shall establish and improve commercial aerospace business processes, clarify their inputs, activities, outputs, resources, performance indicators and other elements, ensure that each business process is controlled, and ensure the stable operation of the quality management system.
（9） The undertaking party of commercial aerospace projects shall evaluate the effectiveness of the quality management system and identify the need for system improvement.
（10） The undertaking party of commercial aerospace projects shall identify weak links in quality management based on information such as the quality situation of commercial aerospace projects and the certification results of quality management systems, take effective measures to solve them, and promote continuous improvement of the quality management system.
（11） Encourage the undertaking parties of commercial aerospace projects to open up quality work resources such as testing, inspection, evaluation, and certification, promote resource sharing, and achieve complementary advantages.
3、 Regarding research and production
（12） The task of quality management in the development and production of commercial aerospace projects is to ensure that the quality of commercial aerospace products and service activities meet expected or regulatory requirements.
（13） Commercial space projects should clearly define the expected quality requirements, acceptance criteria and methods, and quality responsibilities through effective forms, as the input and basic basis for quality management of commercial space projects.
（14） For commercial aerospace projects involving subcontracting, the overall quality work is the responsibility of the general contractor, and the subcontractor shall be responsible for the quality of the tasks undertaken. The general contractor shall communicate or refine quality requirements item by item, and clarify the quality responsibilities of subcontractors.
（15） Encourage the development and production of commercial aerospace projects to establish a supporting system of institutional documents and standards, develop a directory of preferred standards, actively implement industry recognized standards, and ensure that products and projects meet national and industry requirements.
（16） To ensure the quality of the development and production process of commercial aerospace projects, the project owner should carry out process quality management related work.
The development process should fully implement quality management requirements, which can be achieved by implementing technical status management, strengthening the identification and control of quality risks, arranging necessary process inspections, reviews, experimental verification, and evaluation confirmation activities to ensure that the specified requirements are fully met.
The production process should strengthen quality control, which can be achieved by establishing product inspection system, batch management system, and product identification system, implementing process control, and ensuring the consistency and stability of product quality.
（17） The responsible party for the development and production of commercial aerospace projects shall establish factory review rules and procedures in accordance with relevant standards, and clarify the criteria for factory release.
The undertaking party of commercial aerospace projects shall review the quality work and results of the development and production process in accordance with the established rules, procedures, and release criteria before the product leaves the factory.
Products that do not meet the requirements of the factory release criteria shall not be allowed to leave the factory.
For commercial aerospace projects with low maturity of model technology and high flight safety risks such as maiden flight and go around, before the product leaves the factory, major quality hazards should be further investigated and task risks should be controlled based on the aforementioned review work. When necessary, the national aerospace industry management department may organize independent evaluations.
（18） Encourage the development and production of commercial aerospace projects to establish a fault reporting, analysis, and corrective action system, carry out zeroing work for faults and quality problems that occur during the development and production process, and take timely corrective and preventive measures.
4、 Regarding ground testing
（19） The task of implementing quality management in the ground testing process of commercial aerospace projects is to ensure that the testing achieves the expected objectives and to guarantee the safety of testing personnel, products, facilities and equipment, and the site.
（20） The undertaking party of commercial aerospace projects should plan and implement quality management work for the testing process based on the potential risk level of various ground tests, to ensure that the testing activities meet the specified task requirements and relevant safety production requirements. Carry out zeroing work for quality issues that arise during the experimental process. The experiments conducted relying on military testing facilities shall be organized and carried out in accordance with relevant regulations and procedures.
5、 Regarding Launch Implementation
（21） During the launch implementation phase of commercial aerospace projects, the command organization of the launch site (mission) shall organize and carry out quality management work in accordance with the requirements of the quality system documents, so as to control product quality, ensure the safety of the launch process, and achieve the expected goals of the mission.
（22） The undertaking party of commercial space projects shall complete product development and production in accordance with quality management requirements and relevant procedures. After obtaining the civil space launch project permit in accordance with the requirements of the Interim Measures for the Administration of Civil Space Launch Project Licenses, the Notice on Promoting the Standardized and Orderly Development of Commercial Launch Vehicles, and the Notice on Promoting the Orderly Development of Small Satellites and Strengthening Safety Management, the launching test activities can be carried out on site according to the procedures.
（23） The command organization of the launch site area (mission) shall organize the commercial aerospace project undertakers, fully implement quality management requirements, organize overall and technical document consistency reviews, carry out task preparation and implementation work in accordance with technical document requirements, and ensure that product functional performance meets indicator requirements. Before major milestones such as product transfer, refueling, and launch, the responsible party of commercial aerospace projects shall review whether the products meet the release criteria requirements. If necessary, an independent evaluation may be conducted by a commissioned third-party professional organization to provide a basis for decision-making by the launch site (mission) command organization.
（24） If there are quality problems with the product during the preparation process of the launch mission, the commercial aerospace project contractor should strictly carry out the zeroing work according to the standards. For those who do not have the zeroing conditions during the preparation period of the launch mission, a clear conclusion should be formed that does not affect the test or launch flight (problem zeroing should be completed afterwards), providing a basis for decision-making by the launch site (mission) command organization; If there are quality problems with the product during the implementation of the mission, resulting in launch failure, the relevant national departments shall guide the commercial aerospace project undertaker to complete the zeroing work, and the zeroing situation shall be recognized by the national aerospace industry management department before the re organization of testing or go around work.
6、 Regarding in orbit operation, service, recovery, and retirement
（25） The task of quality management in the in orbit operation, service, recovery, and retirement process of commercial aerospace projects is to ensure that in orbit management and application services continue to meet the requirements, while achieving expected functional and performance requirements, and avoiding safety accidents.
（26） The responsible party for the in orbit operation of commercial aerospace projects shall implement quality responsibilities for in orbit operation activities, establish operational standards, strengthen operational training, effectively manage in orbit operation personnel and equipment, and meet relevant requirements.
（27） The service provider of commercial aerospace projects should clarify quality standards for the services provided, establish standardized service processes, allocate service resources, optimize and continuously improve service capabilities, and ensure service quality.
（28） Commercial aerospace projects that have completed their established tasks and meet the conditions for recovery should ensure the quality and safety of the recovery process to prevent adverse effects on other in orbit spacecraft, space environment, and ground safety.
（29） When the products of commercial aerospace projects in orbit reach their service life, the project undertaker shall retire them and take disposal measures such as deorbiting and passivation to meet the requirements of relevant national space debris mitigation policies and standards, ensuring the quality and safety of the retirement and disposal process. For those who fail to implement off track and submit relevant information as required, relevant national departments may take necessary measures depending on the situation.
（30） Quality issues that occur during the in orbit operation, recovery, and retirement activities of commercial aerospace projects should be promptly reported to relevant national departments, and corrective measures should be taken as required to resolve them.
7、 Product quality supervision
（31） The product quality supervision of commercial aerospace projects should adhere to the principles of independence, authority, effectiveness, standardization, and timeliness, based on relevant policies, regulations, standards, and specifications of commercial aerospace.
（32） The product quality supervision of commercial aerospace projects includes user supervision, self supervision by the responsible party, and third-party supervision.
The product quality supervision of commercial aerospace projects is mainly based on on-site quality supervision, which can be carried out through the appointment of quality supervision representatives, quality supervisors, or other types of quality supervision personnel.
（33） Promote the establishment of a certification and evaluation mechanism for commercial space projects, carry out graded certification and evaluation based on the different levels of risk of each commercial space project, and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of quality management for commercial space projects.
（34） Major quality problems and safety hazards discovered during quality supervision should be promptly reported to relevant national departments and necessary disposal measures should be taken.
8、 Regarding accident investigation and disposal
（35） When a quality accident occurs in a commercial aerospace project, the responsible party shall promptly report to the local national defense science and technology industry management department, the superior competent department, and relevant national departments, and cooperate with regulatory departments to complete subsequent investigation and disposal work. It is not allowed to conceal, falsify or delay reporting.
（36） Conduct investigations into accidents in commercial aerospace projects. Major accidents involving serious economic losses and safety shall be investigated by relevant national departments.
（37） According to the investigation results of the accident, relevant national departments classify the accident into different levels. Individuals directly responsible for causing accidents shall be punished in accordance with regulations and discipline; Those who commit crimes shall be held criminally responsible in accordance with the law.
9、 Other
（38） The quality responsibility of the responsible party for commercial aerospace projects shall be pursued for life.
The undertaking party of commercial aerospace projects has experienced significant quality issues due to poor management and dereliction of duty; Concealing, falsely reporting, or delaying the reporting of quality issues in commercial aerospace projects, resulting in serious consequences; Falsifying and concealing major design defects, manufacturing defects, quality issues, or safety hazards in commercial aerospace projects; Providing counterfeit and inferior products in commercial aerospace projects, passing off inferior products as good and fake products as genuine; Providing false data or conclusions in commercial aerospace projects shall be punished in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
If third-party professional organizations collude maliciously with commercial aerospace project contractors, falsify supervision results, or issue false certificates, they shall be punished in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
（39） The quality management activities of commercial aerospace confidential business shall comply with the relevant requirements of national confidentiality regulations and shall not disclose state secrets.
