The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has built a museum to commemorate those who made China’s first atomic bomb, H-bomb, and satellites in the 1960s and early 1970s, an official said on Sept 13.

It is the first time some researchers have had their contributions and names revealed publicly, said Cao Xiaoye, vice secretary-general of the CAS.

More than 17,000 researchers participated in the “two bombs, one satellite” project, which helped increase China’s scientific and defense capabilities and contributed to growth in China’s national strength.

Thanks to their efforts, China has become one of the few countries with independent knowledge of nuclear and space technology, he said.

Located on the Huairou campus of CAS University, the museum is housed at the site of the CAS’s former rocket test base, which was founded in 1958.

The base was used to develop ground test operations for high energy liquid propellants and engines for long range rockets.