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

China test-fired a massive new solid-fueled rocket motor on Oct. 19, 2021.

China just test-fired a massive solid-fueled rocket

By Andrew Jones published

China has test fired a huge new solid rocket motor, creating more propulsion options for the country’s growing space activities.

Experts recently shared that they think the U.S. needs to seriously invest in nuclear technology to stay ahead of CHina in space.

NASA thinks US needs nuclear-powered spacecraft to stay ahead of China

By Chelsea Gohd published

The U.S. needs to invest more in nuclear-powered spacecraft to be competitive with nations like China, experts say.

The Long March 2F carrying Shenzhou 13 shortly after liftoff on Oct. 15, 2021.

China's Shenzhou 14 is on standby to launch in case of space station emergency

By Andrew Jones published

China just launched what is planned to be its longest crewed mission to date, but the next spacecraft in the series is ready to blast off should the Shenzhou 13 astronauts need rescuing.

Part of a panorama taken by Zhurong released on announcement of the end of the solar conjunction period.

At Mars, China's Tianwen 1 orbiter and Zhurong rover are back in action after a radio blackout

By Andrew Jones published

China's Tianwen 1 orbiter and Zhurong rover are once again active at Mars following a communications blackout caused by the sun interfering with radio signals sent from Earth.

China conducted a test launch of a hypersonic vehicle in August 2021 using a Long March rocket, according to an Oct. 17, 2021, report in The Financial Times. This photo shows a Chinese Long March 7 rocket launching the Tianzhou-2 cargo ship to the country's Tianhe module, the core of the new Tiangong space station, from Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan Island on May 29, 2021.

China successfully tested hypersonic weapon in August: report

By Mike Wall published

China tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic weapon two months ago, making strides with the technology that surprised and alarmed U.S. officials, according to a media report.

This animation shows China's Shenzhou 13 spacecraft (bottom) docked at the Tianhe core module of the country's Tiangong space station with two Tianzhou cargo ships docked at either end.

Shenzhou 13 astronauts begin China's longest mission ever at space station module (video)

By Tariq Malik published

The three astronauts of China's Shenzhou 13 mission entered the country's space station core module Tianhe Saturday (Oct. 16).

A Chinese Long March 2F rocket launches the three Shenzhou 13 astronauts on a six-month mission to the country's new Tiangong space station module Tianhe from theJiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert on Oct. 16, 2021 local time (Oct. 15 EDT).

China launches Shenzhou 13 astronauts on historic mission to new space station

By Mike Wall published

The Shenzhou 13 mission launched from the Gobi Desert today (Oct. 15), sending three astronauts toward China's new space station for a six-month stay.

China's Senzhou 13 commander Zhai Zhigang (left) and astronauts Wang Yagping (center) and Ye Guangfu wave to onlookers as they walk out of their crew quarters ahead of their planned launch from the from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Oct. 16, 2021.

China to launch second space station crew today

By Andrew Jones published

China is all set to launch its second crew of three astronauts to its new space station — including the first woman to visit the orbiting outpost.

The Bohai Sea at night, taken by Shenzhou 12 astronaut Tang Hongbo.

These smartphone photos of Earth from space by China's Shenzhou 12 astronauts are just gorgeous

By Andrew Jones published

China's Shenzhou 12 astronauts have been back on Earth for nearly a month, but we just got a look at some of the gorgeous photos they captured in orbit — with smartphones.

China's next-generation spacecraft, which flew once to space in May 2020, is seen on display for the first time at the Airshow China 2021 in Zhuhai City in the Guangdong province on Oct. 1, 2021.

China just put its next-generation spaceship on display

By Leonard David published

Making its public debut is China's next-generation crewed spacecraft.

The Long March 2F to launch Shenzhou 13 crew spacecraft being vertically transferred to the pad at Jiuquan, Oc. 7, 2021.

China rolls out rocket for its longest crew mission yet

By Andrew Jones published

China has rolled out a rocket to the pad to send three astronauts from the desert up to its new Tianhe space station core module, although the launch date remains a mystery.

The Chang'e 5 return capsule at its landing site in Inner Mongolia, China, on Dec. 17, 2020.

Moon rocks brought to Earth by Chinese mission fill key gaps in solar system history

By Meghan Bartels published

China's new moon-rock treasure trove may be a billion years younger than the material the Apollo program brought home decades ago, according to new research.

China's Yutu 2 rover, as seen by the Chang'e 4 lander, on the far side of the moon.

1,000 days on the moon! China's Chang'e 4 lunar far side mission hits big milestone

By Andrew Jones published

A Chinese lander and rover are still up and running more than 1,000 Earth days after they made a historic first-ever landing on the far side of the moon.

An artist's illustration of the Chinese company CAS Space's planned suborbital rocket for space tourism.

Chinese company aims for suborbital space tourism with familiar rocket design

By Andrew Jones published

A Chinese launch company is aiming to provide rides to space for tourists as soon as 2024, apparently drawing inspiration from the exploits of Blue Origin.

A Kuaizhou-1A rocket launched the Jilin-1 Gaofen 02D satellite from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Sept. 27, 2021.

Chinese satellite declared lost following back-to-back launches Monday

By Samantha Mathewson published

China launched two missions on Monday within only a few hours of each other, and one has been declared lost.

A stuffed cow is currently inhabiting China space station.

Stuffed cow guards China's space station ahead of Shenzhou 13 crew arrival next month

By Andrew Jones published

A stuffed cow is currently a lone occupant of the Chinese Tianhe space station, waiting to be joined by the crew of the upcoming Shenzhou 13 mission.

chinese space satellite yangwang 1 aurora meteors

Chinese commercial satellite has been spotting meteors and aurora

By Andrew Jones published

A small Chinese commercial satellite has been detecting meteors impacting the atmosphere and even filming the aurora.

Chinese astronaut Wang Yaping spoke at an event in 2017 after her 2013 flight; she may become the first woman to visit China's new space station.

China eyes sending 1st female astronaut to new space station

By Andrew Jones published

One of China's few women astronauts is expected to be named among the crew of the upcoming Shenzhou 13 mission to the Chinese space station.

A Chinese Long March 7 rocket launches the Tianzhou 3 automated cargo ship to the country's Tiangong space station module Tianhe on Sept. 20, 2021 from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan Island.

China launches Tianzhou 3 cargo ship to new space station

By Mike Wall published

China has launched a cargo mission to its new space station, just days after astronauts departed the orbiting outpost.

The Chang'e 5 return capsule at its landing site in Inner Mongolia, China, on Dec. 17, 2020.

China moon rock studies include fusion energy analysis, volcanic history

By Andrew Jones published

Several science institutions in China are now studying rocks collected from the moon by the Chang'e 5 mission for research that includes evaluating the material as a potential source of fusion power.