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China's space programme

The China National Space Administration was founded more than 25 years ago and is overseeing an ambitious programme which includes deep space exploration, a manned space station, and cutting-edge advancements in technology, new materials, robotics and artificial intelligence.

last updated:

9 September, 2024

Research on board China’s orbiting Tiangong space station has included a range of weightlessness protection experiments to ensure the physical well-being of astronauts during their missions. Photo: CMSA

Science

China’s Tiangong space station research aims to ‘break technology choke points’

Thousands of experiments to be conducted over the next 10-15 years intended to serve the country’s crewed exploration programme.

31 Dec 2024 - 3:22PMvideocam

Science

China’s final 2024 rocket fails but it’s still a record year for launches

28 Dec 2024 - 9:00PMvideocam

US-China relations

China warns ‘dangerous’ US actions are raising risk of space arms race

27 Dec 2024 - 2:06AM

Science

Chinese satellite posed no danger but gave US observers ‘spectacular’ light show

Experts identify fireball as a small, defunct device that was decommissioned 2 years ago, similar to other space debris that falls to Earth.

25 Dec 2024 - 5:02PM

Experts believe a fireball spotted over the US on Saturday was the remains of a Gaojing Superview 1-02, one of a cluster of satellites launched by China in December 2016. Photo: CCTV

Science

How China’s lunar find could fill ‘billion-year gap’ in magnetic field studies

Rocks brought back indicate lunar magnetic field may have shot up about 2.8 billion years ago, Chinese study in Nature says.

21 Dec 2024 - 10:00AMvideocam

Science

How the launch of China’s GuoWang satellites differs from its US Starlink rival

Details have emerged on the key distinctions between China’s recent internet satellite launch and SpaceX’s constellation.

21 Dec 2024 - 1:23AM

Space

Hong Kong scientists to build robot for China’s Chang’e-8 moon mission

Researchers from HKUST will lead team to develop lunar surface robot that will help pave way for research facility at moon’s south pole.

19 Dec 2024 - 7:15PM

In addition to the robot, the Chang’e-8 mission will also feature a lunar rover. Illustration: CNSA

Space

Editorial | Science the winner as Chinese astronauts spacewalk to record

Hi-tech advances in spacesuits resulting from previous missions helped make the nine-hour feat possible.

19 Dec 2024 - 1:13AM

Science

Chinese astronauts complete world record-breaking spacewalk at 9 hours

Shenzhou-19 crew members Cai Xuzhe and Song Lingdong installed space protection devices and conducted maintenance outside Tiangong.

18 Dec 2024 - 6:04PMvideocam

Chinese culture

Opinion | China’s scientific breakthroughs can lead to linguistic ones too

While English is used in most global scientific exchanges, publishing more papers in Chinese could facilitate linguistic innovation and inclusion.

18 Dec 2024 - 9:30AMvideocam

The returner of the Chang’e-6 lunar probe is opened during a ceremony at the China Academy of Space Technology in Beijing, China, on June 26. Photo: Xinhua

Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong students to learn about Chinese science feats in subject revamp plan

Draft of updated junior secondary subject aims to help students ‘recognise’ country’s contributions to science, space exploration.

17 Dec 2024 - 8:53PM

The Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship and a Long March-2F carrier rocket. Students will learn about China’s contributions to space exploration. Photo: Xinhua

Science

Chinese space defence expert Zhang Xiaoxin dies in car crash in Beijing

Zhang, 62, a pioneer in China’s space weather sector, is remembered for his outstanding contribution to monitoring and warning technology.

17 Dec 2024 - 8:44PMvideocam

Science

China launches first satellites for GuoWang project to rival SpaceX’s Starlink

The 13,000-satellite megaconstellation aims to provide global broadband internet coverage.

16 Dec 2024 - 10:36PMvideocam

Science

The English impediment: why Chinese scientists can’t use Chinese

In the world of science, English is the standard language. But could this be limiting talented Chinese academics?

9 Dec 2024 - 9:11AMvideocam

China technology

How will new SMS partnership add to BeiDou’s Chinese user base?

China Telecom working with phone manufacturers to enable its 423 million mobile users to connect via satellites.

4 Dec 2024 - 5:30PM

Women look at their phones near a display of planets from the solar system in Beijing on November 19. Photo: AP

China's economic recovery

What’s the state of China’s ‘space economy’ as commercial launches intensify?

Chasing the success of SpaceX, China’s commercial space industry is eyeing lofty gains despite setbacks and technological constraints.

4 Dec 2024 - 9:00AMvideocam

China launches new Long March 12 rocket, carrying broadband ‘test satellites’

The two-stage vehicle, powered by burning kerosene and liquid oxygen, is notable as China’s first 3.8-metre-wide rocket.

1 Dec 2024 - 7:09PM

China technology

China’s next-gen BeiDou satellite system to ramp up rivalry with US-based GPS

Existing BeiDou system, used in telecommunications, transport, and natural resource management, has also been expanding its use in developing countries.

29 Nov 2024 - 8:00PMvideocam

A model of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System is displayed at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition. Photo: AP

Science

China declares space milestone in launch of ‘self-driving’ radar satellites

Mapping satellites expected to provide data on natural resources, urban safety, emergency response and maritime affairs.

27 Nov 2024 - 2:00PMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

Recap | China’s Death Star-like weapon system, SpaceSail rivals Starlink: 6 science stories

Explore China’s cutting-edge innovations and latest scientific advancements in some of our latest science coverage.

21 Nov 2024 - 5:10PM

Science

How a Chinese spacecraft will catch Mars rock samples for journey to Earth

A lightweight device on an orbiting module will capture a container about the size of a coffee can.

18 Nov 2024 - 5:00PM

As China gets closer to launch date for its Tianwen-3 Mars mission, scientists have designed a device to safely capture rock samples for the all-important return back to Earth. Photo: Shutterstock

Science

World first as Chinese sample reveals ‘young’ volcanic activity on moon’s far side

Chinese and US scientists have come up with some surprising results after testing rock samples collected by the Chang’e-6 lunar mission.

15 Nov 2024 - 9:00PMvideocam

Scientists have already made a major discovery after testing began on samples collected by China’s Chang’e-6 probe from the far side of the moon. Photo: CNSA/Xinhua via AP

SCMP Highlights

Recap | Musk casts shadow on China’s space ambitions, moon sample swap stalls and more space news

US-China space rivalry, stalled moon sample swap talks, Shenzhou’s pioneering female space flight engineer and more latest China space news.

15 Nov 2024 - 4:10PM

US-China relations

China’s space ambitions face ‘huge test’ from Musk presence in Trump White House

Chinese observers say Beijing needs to stick to its own milestones and avoid getting into a race with the US if possible.

13 Nov 2024 - 8:35PMvideocam

Science

Exclusive | Hopes dim for China and US space agencies to exchange moon samples

Space officials in China and the United States have been discussing a swap but Nasa has not been forthcoming, sources say.

9 Nov 2024 - 10:00PMvideocam

Negotiations have come to a standstill over an planned exchange of China’s Chang’e-5 lunar samples, pictured, and samples collected by America’s Apollo missions. Photo: Xinhua via AP

China-EU relations

Chinese leader gives moon dust to Italian President

The lunar samples, collected by the Chang’e-5 probe, follow similar gifts to the French and Russian presidents.

9 Nov 2024 - 7:00PMvideocam

Chinese President Xi Jinping presented his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella with samples collected from the moon. Photo: CGTN

Science

China’s Mars rover Zhurong finds evidence of ancient ocean on red planet

Data from Tianwen-1 mission offers clues about coastline of short-lived sea on Martian surface around 3.5 billion years ago, researchers say.

8 Nov 2024 - 12:32AM

Trending in China

Profile | Who is Wang Haoze? Little-known facts about China’s only woman space flight engineer

Trailblazing daughter of farmworker becomes rocket scientist enjoys ‘conquering unknown’ which brings ‘immense happiness’.

5 Nov 2024 - 9:37AM

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