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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 

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Lunar samples from the Chang'e 5 mission in a display case that will be on view at the National Museum of China in Beijing.

China offers 1st glimpse inside Chang'e 5 moon rock sample

By Andrew Jones

China has revealed the first images of lunar samples from its Chang'e 5 mission following a meeting between China's president and mission representatives.

A diagram of Tianwen-1's orbital changes.

China's Tianwen-1 lowers its orbit around Mars to prepare for rover landing

By Andrew Jones

China's Tianwen-1 spacecraft has trimmed its orbit around Mars to allow the spacecraft to analyze the chosen landing region on the Red Planet.

A view of Mars on Sept. 25, 2020, as seen from the Philippines.

How Mars became the prize for a new space race — and why China is hellbent on winning it

By Steffi Paladini

Looking at its achievements over the past decade, nobody would doubt China is aiming to win the new space race, this one aimed at Mars.

An artist's illustration of China's Tianwen-1 mission in orbit around Mars.

China's Tianwen-1 Mars mission adjusts orbit to prepare for a Red Planet landing

By Leonard David

China's Tianwen-1 spacecraft fired its engines Monday (Feb. 15) to place it in a polar orbit around the Red Planet.

This photo taken by China's Yutu 2 moon rover shows the elongated "milestone" rock on the lunar surface.

China's Yutu 2 rover finds 'milestone' on far side of the moon

By Andrew Jones

China's Chang'e 4 spacecraft are back in action for a 27th lunar day on the far side of the moon, but its the discoveries from its day that have scientists excited.

China's Tianwen-1 Mars orbiter captured this view of the Red Planet as it entered orbit around the planet on Feb. 10, 2021.

China's Tianwen-1 Mars probe captures epic video of Red Planet during orbital arrival

By Andrew Jones

China has released epic video footage from the Tianwen-1 spacecraft as it made a close approach to Mars this week.

China's Tianwen-1 Mars mission enters orbit around the Red Planet in this still from a video animation. Tianwen-1, China's first Mars mission, arrived at Mars on Feb. 10, 2021.

China's first Mars mission, Tianwen-1, successfully enters orbit around Red Planet

By Mike Wall

China's first fully homegrown Mars mission, Tianwen-1, arrived in orbit around the Red Planet today (Feb. 10).

tianzhou cargo spacecraft

China's first space station module is ready for flight

By Andrew Jones

Tianzhou cargo spacecraft to visit module also passes review

The GRAS-4 antenna in Tianjin in north China, under construction in 2020.

Huge antenna ready to support China's Tianwen-1 Mars mission

By Andrew Jones

The giant ground station on Earth is standing by as the Tianwen-1 spacecraft nears Mars.

Three Mars missions will arrive at the Red Planet in February 2021.

Mars madness! China, UAE to reach the Red Planet this week ahead of epic NASA rover landing

By Andrew Jones

Mars missions from China and the UAE arrive in orbit around the Red Planet this week, followed by the landing of NASA's Mars rover Perseverance next week.

The first image of Mars returned by China's Tianwen-1 spacecraft.

Mars ahead! China's Tianwen-1 mission snaps 1st photo of Red Planet.

By Andrew Jones

China's Tianwen-1 spacecraft snapped its first image of Mars as the mission makes its final approach; the probe will enter orbit around the Red Planet in less than a week.

A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launches the TJSW-6 communication technology experiment satellite into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center on Feb. 4, 2021.

China launches new satellite for communications and technology tests

By Andrew Jones

China carried out its fourth orbital space launch on Thursday, sending a large satellite towards geostationary orbit from the hills of Xichang in the southwest of the country.

The Chinese startup iSpace launched its Hyperbola-1 rocket for the first time in 2019. The second launch attempt on Feb.1, 2021 failed to reach orbit.

China's iSpace fails to reach orbit in 2nd launch attempt

By Elizabeth Howell

The first private Chinese company to reach orbit met with failure Monday (Feb. 1) during its second attempt to go to space.

China's Tianwan-1 Mars rover is pictured at the "Mars yard," a simulated Red Planet testing ground at the China Academy of Space Technology in Beijing, China.

China's 1st Mars rover will get one of these 10 names, and you can vote to select the winner

By Andrew Jones

China is holding a 40-day public vote to help select the name for its Mars rover which is currently closing in on the Red Planet.

An artist's concept of China's first Mars rover mission, Tianwen-1, at the Red Planet.

China's Tianwen-1 Mars mission in photos

By Space.com Staff

China's first Mars exploration mission, Tianwen-1, will arrive in orbit at the Red Planet on Feb. 10, and the rover is scheduled to land in May. See photos of the Tianwen-1 mission here!

Liftoff of the Long March 4C carrying the Yaogan-31 (02) satellites from Jiuquan.

China launches a trio of reconnaissance satellites from Gobi Desert

By Andrew Jones

China added to its space reconnaissance capabilities with the launch of a trio of satellites from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center last week.

A Chinese Long March 11 rocket is raised into position on country's sea-based platform De Bo 3 ahead of a Sept. 15, 2020 launch from in the Yellow Sea.

China is planning to launch at least 3 rockets from the sea this year

By Andrew Jones

China is looking to make full use of its newly-developed capability to launch from sea platforms with at least three such missions planned for 2021.

Liftoff of the Long March 3B rocket carrying Tiantong 1-03.

China kicks off a busy 2021 in space with communications satellite launch

By Andrew Jones

The launch of the Tiantong 1-03 communications satellite on Tuesday (Jan. 19) marked the start of a very busy year in space for China.

Artist's illustration of China's Earth-orbiting space station, which the nation plans to assemble by the end of 2022.

China plans to launch core module of space station this year

By Mike Wall

The Tianhe module will lift off atop a Long March 5B rocket a few months from now, if all goes according to plan.

The Chang'e 4 lander (right) and Yutu 2 (left) spotted by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter in October 2020.

NASA spacecraft reveals travels of China's Yutu 2 rover on far side of the moon

By Andrew Jones

China's Yutu 2 rover just turned two years old, and NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has kept a sharp eye on its movements during its mission on the moon.