China’s ambitions in space exploration continue to make waves following a groundbreaking achievement this June: successfully retrieving samples from the far side of the moon for the first time in human history as the nation’s space program gathers momentum, 2024 promises even greater advancements, signaling China’s intent to become a dominant player in the new space age and expand its reach to Mars and Jupiter.
On Monday, the Global Times covered remarks from Tan Yonghua, a senior researcher at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. Tan stated that China has made significant strides in several areas of space exploration and technology. According to him, these areas include increased rocket launch frequency, satellite networking, technological innovation, commercial space development, and international cooperation. He attributed these successes to the combined efforts of China’s “national team” and the growing commercial sector. Additionally, a recent report from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, titled “Global Engineering Frontier 2024,” highlighted two major aerospace achievements for 2024: the ambitious Chang’e 6 mission aiming to collect samples from the lunar far side and the development of China’s low-orbit communication satellite constellation.
In October, the China National Space Administration unveiled its goal for a crewed lunar landing by 2030. To achieve this ambitious target, the agency initiated the preliminary research and development (R&D) phase for a manned lunar lander in November. Other projects are progressing as planned. The carrier rocket, crewed spacecraft, lunar lander, and lunar landing spacesuits have all entered the initial stages of prototype production and ground testing. Beyond sending humans to the moon, China aims to establish an international lunar research base by approximately 2035. The Chang’e 7 mission is slated for launch in 2026, with Chang’e 8 following in 2028 to begin construction efforts.
Next year, China plans to dispatch the Tianwen-2 mission to a near-Earth asteroid to collect samples. This mission aims to shed light on the formation and evolution of asteroids and the early history of our solar system. The Tianwen-3 mission, scheduled for launch around 2030, will collect samples from Mars to study the planet’s environment. Xinhua reports that the Tianwen 4 mission, also targeting 2030, will explore the Jovian system to investigate the evolutionary history of Jupiter and its moons and unravel the mysteries of Jupiter’s space environment and internal structure.
China has maintained its momentum in space exploration by launching four missions—two crewed and two cargo—to the Tiangong space station, which became operational last year. During the Shenzhou 19 mission, launched in October, astronauts Chai Shizhe and Song Lingdong completed a nine-hour spacewalk, surpassing the previous record set 23 months and nine days earlier. Last week, the first satellite for the low-orbit satellite communication network project, the Guowang Mega Constellation, was successfully launched and began its mission in the designated low Earth orbit.
During the recent Singles’ Day shopping event, two space tourism tickles for 2027 were sold for 1.5 million yuan ($211,000) each. China’s first commercial space launch facility opened in Hainan this year to support these endeavors.
Most Commented