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China's space programme

China's space programme
The China National Space Administration was founded more than 25 years ago and is overseeing an ambitious programme which includes deep space exploration, a manned space station, and cutting-edge advancements in technology, new materials, robotics and artificial intelligence.
The Artemis I Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft at Nasa’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida in 2022. Photo: Nasa via AP
Donald Trump

Trump’s space plan envisages US moon base amid race with China

Trump calls for moon landing in 2028, lunar base thereafter, as China targets the end of the decade for its first crewed landing.

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China Future Tech briefing

Aerospace | Lunar race pits China against US as humans seek return to moon

United States

Musk ally Isaacman confirmed as Nasa chief amid moon race with China

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Aerospace: Policy

China launches satellite ‘super factory’ in bid to rival Elon Musk’s Starlink

The facility features a ‘factory-to-launch’ pipeline, expected to make it faster and cheaper to build low Earth orbit constellations.

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China’s first comprehensive factory dedicated to the assembly, testing and reuse of carrier rockets, in south China’s coastal city of Wenchang. Photo: People’s Daily
US-China relations

Trump’s Nasa pick vows US will beat China back to the moon

Isaacman says Washington must move quickly to stay ahead of Beijing amid intensifying rivalry in space exploration.

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Open Questions series

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel on Taiwan, the Ukraine war, China-US ties

Zhou Bo ponders Japanese PM Takaichi’s recent remarks, lessons from the Ukraine conflict and why China won’t be world’s policeman.

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Aerospace: Industry Trends

Explainer | Why China’s space sector is grabbing attention – including from Elon Musk

Chinese start-up LandSpace is set to launch its first reusable rocket on Saturday. If it succeeds, it will give China’s space sector a major boost.

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The Zhuque-3 rocket completes a launch test at a site in China’s northwestern Gansu province last year. The device is one of several reusable rockets under development in China. Photo: Getty Images
Science

China’s first emergency space launch: vessel with repair kit reaches Tiangong

Shenzhou-22’s arrival at the Tiangong station will come as a relief for the crew after another return ship was damaged by space debris.

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International Space Station (ISS)

Editorial | US and China should cooperate to make space safe for all

Space safety is one area where Chinese, Americans and everyone else can benefit from coordination and the sharing of information and costs.

Science

First Thai king to Beijing in 800 years greeted by Chinese astronauts in orbit

Thailand’s monarchs in exchange with orbiting crew on board Tiangong station during visit to highly restricted mission control centre in Beijing.

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Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida with one of the historic displays during their visit to the Beijing Aerospace City on Sunday. Photo: Thai Royal Office
Space

Stranded Chinese astronauts return home from space station mission

Astronauts return from Tiangong space station aboard new crew’s spacecraft after suspected debris strikes vessel and delays launch.

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Chen Dong, the commander of the Shenzhou-20 crew, waves after the crew’s return on Friday afternoon. Photo: Xinhua
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

China’s chief space contractor readies plans for tourism programme

A state-owned giant is expected to unveil a space tourism package this week, with suborbital trips priced lower than US rivals SpaceX and Blue Origin.

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China Future Tech briefing

Aerospace | Musk’s SpaceX faces China threat in reusable rocket race

At least nine reusable rocket projects are nearing maiden flights in China, posing a potential threat to Elon Musk-led SpaceX’s grip on the commercial satellite launch market.

US-China relations

From reusable rockets to deep-sea dives: how China closes tech gap on the West

China sees outer space and the polar regions as ‘strategic new frontiers’ vital to its future security – and is investing accordingly.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Science

China joins space factory race with breakthrough in inflatable module technology

Those who master ‘manufacture in space will gain the initiative in future space economic development’, according to Institute of Mechanics.

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Developers say China’s “in-orbit factory” is taking shape following a technological breakthrough in the form of an inflatable, reconfigurable space module. Photo: Handout
Science

China counts down to Long March-10 test flights in race back to the moon

Researchers to put rocket through its paces as country aims for 2030 crewed lunar landing.

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Science

Chinese astronauts enjoy handover BBQ in world first on board space station

Replacement crew brings expanded food choices, including freshly baked chicken wings and steak, on latest mission.

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Science

China postpones astronauts’ return from space after suspected debris strikes

Shenzhou-20 trio delayed as authorities carry out an impact analysis and risk assessment.

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The crew of the Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21 pictured together on board the Tiangong space station on November 1. Photo: Xinhua
China technology

Video | China launches Shenzhou-21 with lab mice on board

The six-month mission will include experiments involving laboratory mice for the first time that will permanently live in the Tiangong space station.

China technology

China expands frontiers in space, deep sea, poles amid fierce geopolitical race

From deep in the Arctic Ocean to outer space and cyberspace, Beijing’s focus on technological advancements is reshaping the global strategic balance.

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Science

China-led moon mission’s water probe will be ‘first for humanity’: space agency

Seven international partners deliver experiments for Chang’e-7 as authorities report smooth progress towards 2026 launch.

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After winning the race to bring back samples from the moon’s far side, China’s mission to confirm the presence of water ice at the lunar south pole is likely to be another world first. Photo: Xinhua
Space

Nasa opens US moon landing contract to rival bidders as SpaceX lags

Citing SpaceX delays, the US space agency is shifting strategy and inviting new proposals for a high-profile crewed moon mission.

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The US space agency’s Artemis programme hopes to return humans to the moon. File photo: Reuters
Space

Editorial | The time may be ripe for China-US space cooperation

Research from both countries has contributed to major findings on Mars. Amid US funding cuts, the time may be ripe to join forces.

Science

China’s satellite spies on US spycraft in a ‘tit-for-tat’ orbital stand-off

Pictures mark first time Chinese operator has made public such dynamic space-based imagery in move analysts call strategic tit-for-tat.

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Space

How China’s space station became a film frontier – and Liu Cixin’s inspiration

Documentary shot during the Shenzhou 13 mission is capturing imaginations while bridging sci-fi and reality.

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The documentary Shenzhou 13, released earlier this month, follows the mission’s three-member crew for six months aboard the Chinese space station. Photo: Handout
US-China relations

Nasa blocks Chinese citizens with US visas from its facilities

As race to the moon heats up, space agency spokeswoman says move is to ‘ensure the security of our work’.

Nasa’s Vehicle Assembly Building is seen at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo: Shutterstock
Science

China designing mission to defend Earth from asteroids: top space researcher

If the project is successful, China will become the second country – after space rival US – to alter an asteroid’s orbit.

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Aerospace: Geopolitics

China races to roll out low-orbit satellite internet to rival Musk’s Starlink

China is preparing to commercialise its satellite internet networks as it strives to develop equivalents to the SpaceX system.

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