china space program

Latest about china space program

closeup selfie taken by a mars rover, with red dirt and the horizon in the background

China moves Mars sample-return launch up 2 years, to 2028

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

China has moved the launch of its Tianwen 3 Mars sample return mission up two years, to 2028. The new timeline suggests China could get Mars samples to Earth as soon as 2031.

Missions
illustration of a base on the moon, with a rocket launching in the background

China plans to build moon base at the lunar south pole by 2035

By Andrew Jones published

The first phase of China's moon base will be completed around 2035 near the lunar south pole, and an extended model will be built by about 2050, if all goes according to plan.

Human Spaceflight
The Chang'e 5 return capsule at its landing site in Inner Mongolia, China, on Dec. 17, 2020.

The moon might still have active volcanoes, China's Chang'e 5 sample-return probe reveals

By Keith Cooper published

The moon could still be volcanically active today, according to samples brought to Earth by China's Chang'e 5 mission in December 2020.

The moon
illustration of a base on the moon, with a rocket launching in the background

China to test lunar-soil bricks in space to pave the way for its planned moon base

By Andrew Jones published

The experiment aboard China's Tiangong space station will expose bricks made of moon-soil simulant to space's harsh conditions, helping shape the future of lunar infrastructure.

Human Spaceflight
two astronauts in blue flight suits look at a laptop aboard a white-walled space station

Chinese astronauts study ancient microbes aboard Tiangong space station (video)

By Andrew Jones published

Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station are studying microbes, to help determine if some of Earth's early lifeforms can handle a simulated cosmic environment.

Human Spaceflight
China's Shenzhou 18 astronauts perform a variety of activities aboard the nation's Tiangong space station.

Watch Chinese astronauts conduct medical tests and grow plants in orbit (video)

By Andrew Jones published

Newly released footage shows Chinese astronauts engaging in environmental monitoring and growing plants aboard the nation's Tiangong space station.

Human Spaceflight
Chinese researchers put a rover prototype through its paces here on Earth.

Watch Chinese researchers test out new Mars and moon rover tech (video)

By Andrew Jones published

Researchers from universities across China are testing out their designs for rovers for exploring the moon and Mars.

Moon Rovers
artist's illustration of a white rocket launching, in a top-down view from just above the payload fairing.

Chinese company CAS Space takes steps toward 1st launch of reusable rocket

By Andrew Jones published

The Chinese commercial space firm CAS Space is making serious progress on a new reusable rocket called Kinetica-2, and is targeting a debut in 2025.

Launches & Spacecraft
A Shenzhou 18 astronaut prepares to snag a fake torch aboard the nation's Tiangong space station, in honor of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Chinese astronauts celebrate Olympics on Tiangong space station (video)

By Andrew Jones published

Astronauts on China's Tiangong space station recently reenacted some of the sports that athletes of the just-completed 2024 Paris Olympics competed in here on Earth.

Human Spaceflight
photo showing several bright objects outlined by red boxes, standing out against a starry black sky

Chinese rocket breaks apart after megaconstellation launch, creating cloud of space junk

By Mike Wall published

A Chinese Long March 6A rocket broke apart shortly after launching 18 internet satellites on Aug. 7, creating a cloud of at least 300 pieces of trackable debris.

Launches & Spacecraft
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