Nanjing Astronomical Instruments Co., Ltd. (NAIRC) was founded in 1958. It is the only domestic development center developing large and medium-sized astronomical instruments, as well as other optical and electrical instruments. According to the science and technology system reform policies of China and CAS in Dec 2001, it is transformed from public institution to a corporation holding by CAS.
NAIRC has a registered capital of 38.56 million yuan, assets of 170 million yuan , and an area of 230 acres. It hosts 260 staff, including one academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, over 10 researchers, more than 20 senior professionals, over 40 junior engineers, and about 110 technicians of high-level and mid-level.
NAIRC has research and design advantages of integrated instruments, optics, precise machinery, automatic control, and computer technology, especially of the large aperture optical mirror such as the birefringent crystal, the off-axis aspherical. NAIRC has programs of master and doctor on astrophysics and astronomical instruments.
NAIRC mainly develops professional astronomical instruments, military photoelectric instrument, multi-axis turntable, series of parallel light tube, lightweight primary mirror, large diameter Optical Cold Processing, off-axis aspheric optical processing, series of astronomical telescope, astronomical dome, planetarium, Sky Pavilion, inside and outside awning, planetarium display instrument, series of circular grating encoder, electronic pulse ignition control device, and so on.
NAIRC takes an active part in the popularization of scientific knowledge and education. It developed single ball-type optical projection planetariums, digital planetariums and digital dome theaters for science education to the public. It also developed popular astronomical telescope, astronomical dome and the Hubble telescope entity model, periscope, Kepler telescope, Galileo telescope and other astronomical exhibits. It has established over 600 observatories, museums and planetariums across the country for Science&Technology Museums, children's activity centers and schools. The products are exported to the United States, South Korea, Japan, Spain, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and other regions and countries.
NAIRC develops the electronic pulse ignition control device of the gas water heater, and has a firm partnership with Haier, Cherry, Siemens, Light, Ariston, Kyungdong, Merloni and other large-scale electrical appliance enterprises.
