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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
a white space suit with a gold visor next to a four-wheeled, car-like rover on a grey, dusty surface

Meet 'Tansuo' and 'Wangyu,' China's next moon rover and astronaut spacesuit (video)

By Andrew Jones published

China's human spaceflight agency has unveiled official names for a spacesuit and rover to be used in the country's moon landing mission before the end of the decade.

Launches & Spacecraft
in the dark of night, a rocket blasts fire from its engines, sending plumes of smoke jetting out as it climbs the launch tower out of frame. A SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket launches from LC-39A, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, in Floriday, carrying members of SpaceX's Crew-4 mission to the International Space Station, April 27, 2022.

There was nearly 1 rocket launch attempt every 34 hours in 2024 — this year will be even busier

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

2024 set spaceflight records for the fourth consecutive year with 259 launches worldwide and one launch attempt roughly every 34 hours, according to a recent analysis of the global space economy.

Missions
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 Chinese Long March 3B rocket lifts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center carrying the Shiyan-10 02 satellite on Dec. 29, 2022.

Chinese rocket booster falls to Earth, explodes near home (video)

By Andrew Jones published

China successfully launched a classified satellite on Thursday (Jan. 23), but a spent booster from the mission fell shockingly close to a family home.

Launches & Spacecraft
A CERES-1 carrier rocket carrying five satellites blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on January 20, 2025 in Alxa League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China. The rocket blasted off at 6:11 p.m. on January 20, successfully sending a group of satellites including the Yunyao-1 37-40 and JTX-A-05 models into their planned orbits.

Chinese commercial Ceres-1 rocket launches 5 weather satellites to orbit (video)

By Andrew Jones published

Chinese company Galactic Energy launched five satellites atop a Ceres-1 four-stage rocket on Jan. 20, 2025.

Private Spaceflight
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
A portion of the far side of the Moon looms large just beyond the Orion spacecraft in this image taken on the sixth day of the Artemis I mission by a camera on the tip of one of Orion’s solar arrays.

NASA delays Artemis missions again. What could this mean for the moon, Mars and space leadership?

By Andrew Jones published

NASA has pushed its first two crewed Artemis moon missions back to 2026 and 2027, and the move could have big ramifications.

Artemis
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