china space program
Latest about china space program
![a white rocket rises into a blue sky.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hGn3gdYxMMbWupDEpA6p9V-320-80.jpg)
China launches new 3-astronaut crew to Tiangong space station
By Andrew Jones published
A Long March 2F rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert today (Oct. 25), carrying the Shenzhou 17 spacecraft and its crew into orbit.
![Liftoff of a Long March 2D rocket from XIchang spaceport carrying the Yaogan 39 (04) remote sensing satellites on Oct. 23, 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/irHBkZkxGFGVTubwvgbGdg-320-80.jpg)
China continues remote-sensing buildup with new launch of Yaogan satellites (video)
By Andrew Jones published
A Long March 2D rocket launched into the night sky above the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China on Oct. 23, carrying three more Yaogan 39 satellites to orbit.
![(L-R) Chinese astronauts Jiang Xinlin, Tang Hongbo and Tang Shengjie, who will carry out the Shenzhou-17 spaceflight mission, meet the press at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on October 25, 2023 in Alxa League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AxV3Fy9zVfjE8izDjA8NzF-320-80.jpg)
China unveils Shenzhou 17 astronauts launching to Tiangong space station tonight (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China has revealed its latest crew of astronauts set for a six-month-long mission to the Tiangong space station today.
![an illustration of a Chinese moon base](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wieXfhDBcrB3zZvua9LZpJ-320-80.jpg)
China recruits Pakistan and Belarus for its planned moon base
By Mike Wall published
Pakistan and Belarus just became partners on the International Lunar Research Station, which China aims to build on the moon in the 2030s.
![a rocket lifts off from a launch pad with trees behind it](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/z568XwUhubmVS2K3PD9XjE-320-80.jpg)
Watch China launch more classified Yaogan spy satellites (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China added a secretive trio of new satellites to its clusters of Yaogan orbital reconnaissance spacecraft on Oct. 6.
![a large telescope with two wing-like solar panels in orbit above Earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qLNDep4itqtCcRhAdAZUEe-320-80.jpg)
Chinese astronomers say their new space telescope will outdo Hubble
By Leonard David published
China's upcoming Xuntian, or Chinese Space Station Telescope (CSST), will orbit near the nation's Tiangong space station and provide high-definition panoramic views of the universe.
![a rocket launches at night next to a blue launch tower](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8otuHEP7q58ZjixdpjZfYQ-320-80.jpg)
China adds yet another Yaogan spy satellite to its orbital fleet (launch video)
By Andrew Jones published
On Wednesday (Sept. 27), China launched a fourth satellite in the Yaogan 33 group, which are believed to be radar reconnaissance craft.
![two astronauts in blue spacesuits hold a match and a candle, respectively](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wKTMKmDvdwfq5KPopEs6LX-320-80.jpg)
Watch Chinese astronauts light a match on Tiangong space station (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China's Shenzhou 16 astronauts conducted an eye-raising experiment in space involving open flames aboard the Tiangong space station.
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