China Space Program

China became the third country ever to launch a human into space in 2003 and has been expanding its space program ever since. Get the latest news about China's space program, launches and space missions.

Related Topics: International Space Station, India Mars Orbiter Mission, Rocket Launches 

Latest Updates

a circular metal container with a clear glass center, through which grey dirt can be seen

China's Chang'e 5 moon samples, beyond NASA's reach for years, are finally available to US scientists

By Leonard David published

For the first time, NASA-funded researchers can apply for access to lunar samples collected by China's Chang'e-5 mission.

a large T-shaped space station is seen from above with Earth below it

China releases 1st images of complete Tiangong space station (photos)

By Robert Lea published

The crew of China's Shenzhou 16 mission captured incredible images of the Tiangong Space Station as they departed on their way back to Earth.

a golden rover and dark-colored lander sit on the red martian surface, with a dusty reddish-brown sky in the background.

Chinese scientists build model Mars atmosphere to aid sample-return plans

By Andrew Jones published

Chinese scientists have constructed a numerical model to simulate the Martian atmosphere and thus assist the country's plans to return rock samples from the Red Planet.

a graphic showing how a T-shaped space station will become cross-shaped with additional modules

China eyes additional modules for Tiangong space station

By Leonard David published

China will launch an extension module at an appropriate time and upgrade the basic configuration of the space station from the current 'T' shape to a cross shape.

a white spacecraft is seen through the window of a space station, with earth in the background.

China's youngest space station crew send home spectacular views from space (video)

By Andrew Jones published

China's Shenzhou 17 astronauts are getting into the rhythms of life in orbit — and also sending back some choice clips of their activities.

circular patch for China's robotic Tianzhou 7 cargo mission, showing a cartoon white spacecraft with a t-shaped space station in the background.

China's next cargo spacecraft arrives at launch site ahead of early 2024 liftoff

By Andrew Jones published

The robotic Tianzhou 7 cargo spacecraft arrived recently at China's coastal Wenchang Satellite Launch Center ahead of an early 2024 launch on a Long March 7 rocket.

black and white photo of the moon's surface, showing a fresh, dark double crater.

Rogue rocket that slammed into the moon last year confirmed to be Chinese vehicle

By Mike Wall published

The rocket body that slammed into the moon in March 2022 was part of the Long March 3C that launched China's Chang'e 5-T1 mission in 2014, a new study finds.

The miniature robotic arm inside China's Tiangong space station helps astronauts with science experiments and other activities.

Surprise! China's space station has a 3rd, mini robotic arm. Watch it in action (video)

By Andrew Jones published

Inside the Tiangong space station's Mengtian experiment module, there's a small, dextrous arm that can assist astronauts' everyday activities, Chinese broadcaster CCTV revealed.

a white rocket launches into a dark night sky.

China launches mystery satellite on Long March 7A rocket (photo)

By Andrew Jones published

China launched what it describes as a communications technology satellite on Nov. 3. The craft is part of the TJS series, which may be a cover name for satellites for a range of different uses.

a brownish space capsule with a red-and-white-striped parachute descends through a blue sky.

China's Shenzhou 16 astronauts apparently landed with a ripped parachute (photo)

By Andrew Jones published

China's Shenzhou 16 astronauts landed safely on Earth this week despite an apparent hole appearing in their return capsule's parachute.

a rocket lifts off at sunset above a plume of fire

Watch China launch pair of Earth-mapping satellites on its 50th launch of 2023 (video)

By Andrew Jones published

A Long March 6A rocket lifted off carrying two Tianhui-5 Earth-mapping satellites on Nov. 1, marking China's 50th launch of the year.

China's Shenzhou 16 astronauts hand control of the Tiangong space station over to the Shenzhou 17 crew on Oct. 29, 2023.

China's Shenzhou 16 astronauts hand over Tiangong space station to new crew (video)

By Andrew Jones published

The departing Shenzhou 16 astronauts handed over control of the Tiangong space station to the newly arrived Shenzhou 17 crew during a short ceremony on Sunday (Oct. 29).

a dark-brown capsule descends through a blue sky beneath a red and white striped parachute.

China's Shenzhou 16 astronauts land safely after 5 months aboard Tiangong space station (video)

By Andrew Jones published

The three astronauts of China's Shenzhou 16 mission returned to Earth on Monday (Oct. 30) after a five-month stint aboard the country's Tiangong space station.

Diagram of message-sending from Vienna to Beijing through space-ground integrated quantum network using China's Micius satellite, which launched in 2016.

China plans to take 'hack-proof' quantum satellite technology to new heights

By Andrew Jones published

China launched the first-ever dedicated quantum communications satellite to low Earth orbit in 2016. The nation is now working to send a quantum craft to a higher altitude.

three astronauts in white suits smile and wave to a crowd

Watch China's Shenzhou 16 space station astronauts return to Earth Oct. 30 (video)

By Brett Tingley published

Three Chinese astronauts are set to return to Earth tonight after a five-month stay at the Tiangong space station, and you can watch it live.

closeup of lettuce growing inside a white-walled module of China's space station.

China's astronauts grow vegetables in orbit, with an eye on deep space exploration

By Andrew Jones published

China's Shenzhou 16 astronauts have been growing vegetables aboard the Tiangong space station, as part of plans for future deep space exploration.

The astronauts of China's Shenzhou 16 and Shenzhou 17 missions celebrate the latter crew's arrival on the Tiangong space station on Oct. 26, 2023.

China's Shenzhou 17 astronauts arrive at Tiangong space station (video)

By Mike Wall published

The three spaceflyers of China's Shenzhou 17 mission reached the Tiangong space station early Oct. 26, just 6.5 hours after lifting off from the Gobi Desert.

a white rocket rises into a blue sky.

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.

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.

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.