The China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) (Chinese: 中国空间技术研究院; pinyin: Zhōngguó Kōngjiān Jìshù Yánjiūyuàn) is a Chinese space agency and subordinate of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). The agency was founded on 20 February 1968, and is the main spacecraft development and production facility in China. On 24 April 1970, CAST successfully launched China's first artificial satellite Dong Fang Hong I.