china space program

Latest about china space program

(L-R) Chinese astronauts Wang Jie, Chen Dong and Chen Zhongrui, who will carry out the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceflight mission, meet the press at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on April 23, 2025 in Alxa League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China.

China reveals Shenzhou 20 astronaut crew launching to Tiangong space station

By Tariq Malik published

Veteran Chinese astronaut Chen Dong will command a crew that includes rookies Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie.

Human Spaceflight
Screenshot from an animation depicting a future Chinese robotic mission to the moon's south pole.

China to 3D-print bricks on the moon using lunar dirt in 2028 to pave way for future base (video)

By Andrew Jones published

China is getting ready to 3D-print bricks on the moon using lunar soil, in what could be a huge step toward building a base on the lunar surface.

Human Spaceflight
Artist's illustration of True Anomaly's autonomous Jackal satellites in space.

True Anomaly to launch 1st deep-space security missions with autonomous Jackal satellites in 2026

By Mike Wall published

Colorado-based startup True Anomaly plans to begin launching its autonomous Jackal satellites to geosynchronous orbit and Earth-moon space in 2026.

Satellites
Chinese researchers are developing a drone that could explore Mars by air or on the ground.

A Chinese research team is developing a lightweight robotic drone that could aid the nation's Mars exploration ambitions.

By Leonard David published

"On the ground, it mainly rolls by shifting its center of gravity."

Mars
China's Yutu 2 rover, as seen by the Chang'e 4 lander, on the far side of the moon.

Hopping robot will hunt for moon water on China's Chang'e 7 lunar mission in 2026

By Andrew Jones published

China is preparing to launch a pioneering mission to the moon next year to search for definitive evidence of water at the lunar south pole.

The moon
an astronaut in a white space suit stands beside the chinese flag on the moon

A red moon: Will the next 'Sputnik Moment' be made in China?

By John Kross, Rod Pyle published

The next Sputnik Moment will take place against the backdrop of great power competition, as it did in the 1950s. This time, the top contenders are the U.S. and China.

The moon
A Shenzhou 19 astronaut works outside the Tiangong space station during a spacewalk on Jan. 20, 2025.

Chinese astronauts install debris shields on Tiangong space station during 8.5-hour spacewalk (video)

By Andrew Jones published

Two Chinese astronauts completed an 8.5-hour spacewalk on Jan. 20, a sojourn that installed debris shielding outside the Tiangong space station.

Human Spaceflight
a white rocket fires flames from its engines as it flies above a curve of the Earth into space.

SMILE! Europe and China move toward 2026 launch of space weather mission

By Andrew Jones published

The European Space Agency is set to launch a joint space science mission with China in early 2026 after a long collaboration.

Satellites
Illustration of China's Chang'e 7 mission on the surface of the moon.

China plans to plant a waving flag on the moon in 2026. Here's how

By Leonard David published

China's Chang'e 7 moon-landing mission will apparently include a flag that can flutter in the moon's thin and tenuous atmosphere.

The moon
On Jan. 2, 2025, China tested five different new rocket engines, which could help power a variety of space missions.

China test-fires 5 new rocket engines in a single day. But what are they for? (video)

By Andrew Jones published

China's state-owned main space contractor tested five different rocket engines on one day last week in preparation for future missions and projects.

Launches & Spacecraft
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