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Holly Chik

China’s space exploration ambitions are picking up speed with a mission to reach Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, in 2029, according to the China National Space Administration.
The CNSA also said that over the next few years the country would explore a comet and collect more moon samples as well as gather samples from Mars and an asteroid.
“In 2029, we will carry out a mission for Jupiter exploration,” Xu Hongliang, secretary general of the space agency, said on Saturday.
He said upcoming exploratory missions had been confirmed by the Chinese government and were undergoing approval procedures. China would largely focus on Mars exploration before 2030 “after taking into account the needs of developing engineering technology and addressing scientific interests”, Xu added. 
For years, China has had missions to the moon. The country is also in the process of building its own space station to rival the International Space Station, and in May successfully landed its first rover, Zhu Rong, on Mars.
Touchdown for China’s Mars rover Zhu Rong after ‘nine minutes of terror’
Xu said the next step on the red planet was to carry out a sampling and return mission in 2028.
The agency revealed China’s plans for the next few years as the country races to catch up with the United States in space technology, with Zhu Rong reaching Mars a major milestone.
China became only the third country after the US and the former Soviet Union to accomplish the feat. 
In 2020 a Chinese probe brought back the first lunar sample in more than 40 years, also only the third country to do so after the US and Soviet Union.


Xu said China would push forward the development of heavy-lift launch vehicles, reusable space transport systems and satellite internet.
He said Chinese space officials had been working with their counterparts around the world – including Nasa, the European Space Agency (ESA) and national agencies in Argentina, France and Austria – to monitor and share Mars information. 
Over the next five years China plans to launch two probes to further survey the moon’s environment and collect samples. The nation has conducted five moon missions since 2007, making its first soft landing in 2013. The country made the first landing on the far side of the moon in 2019. 
Beijing and Moscow agreed in March this year to jointly build and lead an international lunar research station project for scientific research. On June 12 the Chinese space agency said it would soon make public a road map and guide for potential international partners interested in planning, design and operation.
China expects to complete its construction of a manned space station by the end of next year. The country will also continue international cooperation, citing space projects with Italy, France and Brazil.


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China's space programme

China’s space race gathers pace: next stop, Jupiter?

China is planning a mission to Jupiter in 2029. Photo: Nasa/ESA/Hubble via AFP

China’s space programme: how Beijing is banking on youth to drive its celestial ambitions

Zhou Chengyu, 24, is China’s youngest and first woman space commander. Photo: Twitter

How China’s space station could help power astronauts to Mars

The ion drives produce electronically charged particles that can damage components without proper protection. Photo: Handout

A Long March 7 rocket, carrying China's Tianzhou-2 cargo craft, lifts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in southern China's Hainan province on May 29, 2021. (Photo by STR / AFP) / China OUT

China’s Zhu Rong Mars rover off and roaming on red planet

The Zhu Rong rover has rolled down the landing vehicle ramp and is exploring the red planet. Photo: CNS/CNSA

FILE PHOTO: An image taken on Mars by Chinese rover Zhurong of China's Tianwen-1 mission is seen in this handout image released by the China National Space Administration (CNSA), May 19, 2021. CNSA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES./File Photo

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China

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Government hopes Chinese spacecraft will get there in 2029
Also projects to get samples from Mars, moon, and elsewhere



Chinese spacecraft could reach Jupiter, our largest planet, in 2029.


China’s space race gathers pace: next stop, Jupiter?

Government hopes Chinese spacecraft will get there in 2029 Also projects to get samples from Mars, moon, and elsewhere

Government hopes Chinese spacecraft will get there in 2029

Also projects to get samples from Mars, moon, and elsewhere