China – Page 13 – SpaceNews

An artist conception of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), post-2030.

Civil, Opinion, Policy & Politics

China’s lunar agenda – a heightened warning

by Dan RobitzskiJanuary 27, 2025January 28, 2025

Artistic render of China's Chang'e-8 lunar lander on the moon's surface, featuring a gold-colored lander with extended solar panels under a starry lunar sky, illuminated by the Sun.

Civil, Commercial, News

China embraces commercial participation in moon mission for the first time

by Andrew JonesJanuary 27, 2025January 27, 2025

Military, Opinion

The U.S. should stop holding back its military potential in space

by Dan RobitzskiJanuary 24, 2025January 22, 2025

Nighttime rocket launch of China's TJS-14 satellite aboard a Long March 3B vehicle from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, with bright flames and smoke illuminating the dark sky, January 23, 2025.

Launch, Military, News

China launches classified TJS-14 satellite towards geostationary belt

by Andrew JonesJanuary 23, 2025January 23, 2025

Image of the moon's far side with the Earth visible in the background against the blackness of space, captured by the 2014 Chang’e-5 T1 mission. The lunar surface appears gray and cratered, highlighting the rugged terrain of the moon.

China explores using orbiting lasers to power spacecraft on the moon

by Andrew JonesJanuary 21, 2025January 21, 2025

A SAST (Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology) vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL) rocket prototype during a test flight, kicking up dust from the ground. The rocket's engines emit a bright flame, indicating an active and controlled descent. The test was conducted in a desert-like environment under clear skies.

Civil, Launch, News

China performs high altitude reusable rocket test with uncertain outcome

by Andrew JonesJanuary 20, 2025January 20, 2025

A Long March 2D rocket launches from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert under clear blue skies. The rocket emits bright orange exhaust as it ascends, with insulation tiles visibly detaching. The launch pad and surrounding sparse vegetation are captured in the foreground.

Civil, Commercial, Launch, News

China launches Earth observation satellite for Pakistan

by Andrew JonesJanuary 17, 2025January 17, 2025

A close-up image of the Yutu-2 rover taken by the Chang’e-4 lander, showing the six-wheeled rover on the gray, uneven lunar surface of Von Kármán crater. The rover’s solar panels are extended, reflecting sunlight, with tracks visible in the regolith behind it. The barren, cratered terrain of the Moon's far side stretches into the distance.

Yutu-2 rover likely immobile on the moon after historic lunar far side mission

by Andrew JonesJanuary 14, 2025January 14, 2025

Sea-based launch of a Jielong-3 (Smart Dragon-3) rocket on January 13, 2025, from the Haiyang Eastern Spaceport. The rocket ascends into a clear sky, leaving a trail of flame and smoke as it lifts off from a converted platform at sea, with the support vessel visible on the right.

Commercial, Launch, News

Chinese sea launch sends 10 navigation enhancement satellites into orbit

by Andrew JonesJanuary 13, 2025January 13, 2025

A dramatic nighttime launch of China's Long March 5B rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Center on December 16, 2024. Bright orange flames and thick clouds of white smoke illuminate the launchpad as the rocket ascends into the sky, carrying the first 10 satellites for the Guowang ('national net') low Earth orbit communications megaconstellation. Tall support towers frame the scene against the dark backdrop, highlighting the power and scale of the mission.

Civil, Military, News

China’s Guowang launch raises questions about satellite purpose and transparency

by Andrew JonesJanuary 7, 2025January 7, 2025