Space
China
Space launch site(s)
Jiuquan Launch Center (Inner Mongolia); Xichang Launch Center (Sichuan); Wenchang Launch Center (Hainan; Wenchang features a commercial launch pad, the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site, which became operational in December 2024); Taiyuan Launch Center (Shanxi); Eastern Spaceport (Shandong; a coastal facility designed to support maritime launches) (2025)
Space agency/agencies
China National Space Administration (CNSA; founded in 1993); Administration for Science, Technology, and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND; under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology); People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Aerospace Force (2025)
Space program overview
recognized as one of the foremost space powers globally, possessing a comprehensive and ambitious space agenda; capable of designing and operating a wide range of space launch vehicles (SLVs) and spacecraft, including crewed missions, lunar/interplanetary/asteroid probes, satellites (for communications, remote sensing, navigation, science, etc.), space stations, and reusable space transport; has a taikonaut program; engages in research and development of various space-related technologies, such as advanced telecommunications, optics, spacecraft components, and satellite payloads; participates in global space initiatives and co-leads (alongside Australia and Japan) the Global Earth Observation System of Systems; has established agreements with over 45 national space agencies, including those from Brazil, Canada, France, and Russia, as well as several international organizations; has also collaborated with ESA; the space sector is predominantly characterized by two state-owned aerospace companies, although there exists a significant commercial segment providing launch services (2025)
Key space-program milestones
1960s - commenced rocket launches and began satellite and satellite launch vehicle (SLV) programs
1970 - deployed first communications satellite (Dongfanghong I)
2003 - achieved first manned spaceflight; launched the first satellite for the global navigation system (Beidou)
2011 - deployed a temporary space station (Tiangong-1) into Earth orbit
2013 - executed the first unmanned lunar landing mission (Chang'e-3); placed a second temporary space station (Tiangong-2) into orbit around Earth
2017 - utilized a communications satellite (Micius) to conduct the world's inaugural quantum-encrypted virtual teleconference between Beijing and Vienna
2019 - successfully landed a rover (Chang’e-4) on the Moon's far side
2021 - landed a probe and operated a rover on Mars; signed a pact with Russia to establish an international manned lunar research station; announced plans to send a manned mission to Mars by 2033
2022 - finalized the construction of a permanent manned space station (Tiangong) in Earth orbit
2024 - achieved a successful landing and return of the robotic spacecraft/probe (Chang'e-6) from the far side of the Moon; initiated the first launch of the "Thousand Sails" commercial communications satellite constellation project
2025 - launched an asteroid sample return mission probe (Tianwen-2); launched the world's first quantum communications microsatellite (Jinan-1)