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

distant view of part of earth surrounded by fuzzy yellow line

China's Shenzhou 14 astronauts snap stunning photos of Earth, the moon and more

By Andrew Jones published

See the spectacular photos snapped by China's Shenzhou 14 crew aboard the Tiangong space station.

A Long March 2D rocket launches three of China's Yaogan 36 remote-sensing satellites to orbit on Oct. 14, 2022.

China launches 3 more spy satellites to orbit (video)

By Mike Wall published

A Long March 2D rocket launched three of China's Yaogan 36 reconnaissance satellites to orbit on Friday (Oct. 14).

rocket launching beside a tower. a plume rises on the right

China launches environmental satellite in 3rd flight in 6 days

By Elizabeth Howell published

China launched an environmental satellite into space Wednesday (Oct. 13) amid a surge of rocket activity.

China's Shenzhou 14 astronauts entered the Tiangong space station on June 5, 2022. From left to right: Cai Xuzhe, Chen Dong and Liu Yang.

Watch astronauts give science lesson from China's space station early Wednesday

By Andrew Jones last updated

China's Shenzhou 14 astronauts are ready to deliver their first lecture from the Tiangong space station on Wednesday morning (Oct. 12).

A segment of the Mengtian space station module arrives at Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan Island on Aug. 9, 2022.

China fuels final space station module ahead of launch

By Andrew Jones published

The third and final module for China’s space station has been filled with propellant in preparation for its journey to orbit later this month.

A Long March 2D rocket carrying China's Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory (ASO-S) satellite launches from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Oct. 8, 2022.

China launches ASO-S satellite to study the sun and space weather

By Mike Wall published

The Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory, nicknamed Kuafu-1, has been in the works since 2011.

A Long March 11 rocket rises off a sea barge and into the night sky on Oct. 7, 2022.

China launches pair of navigation enhancement satellites from sea platform

By Andrew Jones last updated

China sent a pair of satellites for enhancing Beidou navigation signals into orbit on Friday (Oct. 7) with a rocket launch hosted by a mobile sea platform.

China moves the Wentian module of its Tiangong space station, an operation that wrapped up on Sept. 30, 2022.

China moves Tiangong space station module to side docking port (video)

By Andrew Jones published

China has rotated a space station module to a lateral docking port as part of the process of building its T-shaped Tiangong space station.

Shenzhou 14 astronauts Chen Dong and Liu Yang work outside the Wentian module of China's Tiangong space station during a six-hour spacewalk on Sept. 1, 2022.

China begins recruitment for 4th batch of astronauts

By Andrew Jones published

China’s human spaceflight agency has begun the search for a new batch of astronauts to join its ranks as the country moves to complete its orbiting space station.

rocket lifting off in between launch towers. steam rises on the right. grassy hills are in the background

China launches three more satellites after recent rocket doubleheader

By Elizabeth Howell published

China launched three new satellites atop a Long March 6 rocket on Monday (Sept. 26), following two recent launches just 40 hours apart.

A Kuaizhou-1A solid rocket carrying the Shiyan-14 and Shiyan-15 spacecraft lifts off from northern China's Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center on Sept. 24, 2022.

Rocket doubleheader: China launches 2 satellite missions 40 hours apart (video)

By Mike Wall published

China just launched two missions less than 40 hours apart, sending three satellites to Earth orbit.

A 'selfie' taken by China's Zhurong Mars rover during the Tianwen-1 mission.

China's Tianwen-1 Mars mission wins international space award

By Andrew Jones published

China's Tianwen 1 Mars mission has been awarded one of the spaceflight world's most prestigious awards.

An illustration of Jupiter surrounded by some of its 69 moons.

China wants to probe Uranus and Jupiter with 2 spacecraft on one rocket

By Andrew Jones published

China is planning an ambitious two-for-one shot to the outer planets with a pair of spacecraft to launch for Jupiter and Uranus around 2030.

rocket lifting off with cloudy sky behind

China launches Yunhai-1 03 Earth-observing satellite into orbit

By Elizabeth Howell published

China launched the Yunhai-1 03 Earth-observing satellite from the Gobi Desert on Tuesday (Sept. 20). The spacecraft's predecessor was hit by a piece of space junk.

a photo of large wheeled robot in the center with smaller stationary robot to the right

China Mars mission data offers evidence for ancient ocean

By Stefanie Waldek published

Evidence collected by the Tianwen 1 orbiter and Zhurong rover supports the possible existence of an ancient ocean in the Utopia Planitia region of Mars.

six men in suits and one woman in chairs on stage

NASA chief says cooperation with China in space is up to China

By Andrew Jones published

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson told a major international space conference that the possibility of cooperating with China in space is "up to China."

China's Yutu-2 rover landed on the far side of the moon in January 2019, as part of the Chang'e 4 mission.

China's Yutu 2 rover still rolling after nearly 4 years on moon's far side

By Andrew Jones published

China's Chang'e 4 lander and Yutu 2 rover, the first robots ever to land safely on the far side of the moon, are quietly continuing their work.

chinese taikonaut upside down during a spacewalk with the earth below

Chinese astronauts take 4-hour spacewalk outside new lab at Tiangong space station

By Elizabeth Howell published

Chinese astronauts Chen Dong and Cai Xuzhe completed a spacewalk Saturday (Sept. 17) outside the Tiangong space station.

The space agencies of the UAE and China signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on future robotic moon missions. Photo released Sept. 16, 2022.

China, UAE will collaborate on moon rover missions

By Mike Wall published

The UAE's Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre announced today (Sept. 16) that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the China National Space Agency to work together on future moon missions.

The United States is not alone in wanting to establish a research base on the moon. China and Russia have been discussing an International Lunar Research Station at the south pole of the moon, to begin operating in the 2030s.

China tests new engine for huge Long March 9 moon rocket

By Andrew Jones published

Chinese engineers have conducted a successful hot fire test of a new, powerful engine for the nation's planned super heavy-lift rocket for moon missions.