China Manned Space Program
Trung Quốc tái người hàng thiên công trình Zhōngguó Zàirén Hángtiān Gōngchéng | |
![]() Logo of CMS in the shape of a space station, or the Chinese character "Trung" as in "Trung Quốc" (China). | |
Program overview | |
---|---|
Country | ![]() |
Organization | China Manned Space Agency |
Purpose | Human spaceflight |
Status | Active |
Program history | |
Duration | 21 September 1992–present |
First flight | Shenzhou 1 19 November 1999 |
First crewed flight | Shenzhou 5 15 October 2003 |
Last flight | Shenzhou 18 25 April 2024 |
Successes | 30 |
Failures | 0 |
Launch site(s) | Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center Wenchang Space Launch Site |
Vehicle information | |
Uncrewed vehicle(s) | Tianzhou cargo spacecraft |
Crewed vehicle(s) | Shenzhou spacecraft |
Crew capacity | 3 |
Launch vehicle(s) | Long March 2F Long March 7 Long March 5B |
TheChina Manned Space Program(CMS;Chinese:Trung Quốc tái người hàng thiên công trình;pinyin:Zhōngguó Zàirén Hángtiān Gōngchéng), also known asProject 921(Chinese:Chín nhị một công trình;pinyin:Jiǔèryī Gōngchéng) is a space program developed by thePeople's Republic of Chinaand run by theChina Manned Space Agency(CMSA) under theEquipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission,designed to develop and enhancehuman spaceflightcapabilities for China. It was approved on 21 September 1992 and has been in operation ever since. TheCMScommander and director are currentlyXu XueqiangandZhou Jianpingrespectively; the latter has held this position since 2006, after taking over fromWang Yongzhi,who served as the first director from 1992 to 2006.
As one of the most complex programs within the Chinese space agency, CMS was split into "three steps", or three phases, which can be summarized as follows:[1]
- Crewed spacecraft launch and return.
- Space laboratory (with capabilities of extravehicular activities), spacecraft rendezvous and docking procedures.
- Long-term modular space station.
On 29 November 2022, with the launch and docking ofShenzhou 15with theTiangong space station,the CMSA successfully completed all three of the above steps, thereby making China the third nation to achieve human spaceflight (after the Soviet Union/Russia and the United States), as well as the second nation to operate a single-nation modular space station (after the Soviet Union/Russia'sMir).
History[edit]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d0/Satellite_FSW_cropped.jpg/180px-Satellite_FSW_cropped.jpg)
Formal research of China's human spaceflight began in 1968. An institute for medical and space engineering was founded in Beijing.[2]It was the predecessor of The China Astronaut Research and Training Center, at which China's astronauts were trained in the following decades. Before that, in 1964, China launched asounding rocket,carrying several small animals to an altitude of 70 km as an attempt to study the effects of spaceflight on living creatures.[2]
On 24 April 1970, China launched its first satellite,Dong Fang Hong Iinto orbit. In 1970,Qian Xuesen,the father of China's space program, introduced his human spaceflight project, which was later calledProject 714.An early version of a crewed spacecraft calledShuguang Iwas under research. However, this program was cancelled due to a lack of funds and political interest. Instead, China decided in 1978 to pursue a method of sending astronauts into space using the more familiar FSW-derived ballistic reentry capsules. Two years later. in 1980, the Chinese government cancelled the program citing cost concerns.[3]
In order to gain relative experience, China launched and recovered its first recoverable satellite,Fanhui Shi Wei xing,on 26 November 1975.[4]The success of the mission demonstrated China's capabilities of controlledatmospheric entry.
In 1986, the863 Programwas funded by the Chinese government. It was intended to stimulate the development of science and technologies in several key areas, in which space capabilities were included.[5]
The Chinese human spaceflight program, formally titled the China Manned Space Program, was formally approved on September 21, 1992, by the Standing Committee of Politburo as Project 921,[6]with work beginning on 1 January 1993. The initial plan has three steps:[1]
- First Step: Launch a crewed spaceship with the aim of building up the fundamental capability in human space exploration and space experiments.
- Second Step: Launch a space laboratory tasked with making technological breakthroughs for extravehicular activities, space rendezvous and spacecraft docking procedures, as well as providing a solution for man-tended space utilization on a certain scale and short-term basis.
- Third Step: Establish a Space Station with the aim of providing a solution for human-tended -space utilization on a larger scale and longer-term basis.
The program was led by a chief commander and a chief designer, who handled administrative and technical issues respectively. A joint meeting between these two was responsible for making decisions on important issues during the implementation of the project.[6]The first chief designer of the program wasWang Yongzhi.A new organization,China Manned Space Agency(CMSA) under theEquipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission,was founded for the administration of the program.
In 1994, China signed a cooperation agreement with Russia to purchase aerospace technologies. In 1995, a deal was signed between the two countries for the transfer of Russian Soyuz spacecraft technology to China. Included in the agreement were schedules for astronaut training, provision ofSoyuzcapsules, life support systems, docking systems, and space suits. In 1996, two Chinese astronauts,Wu JieandLi Qinglong,began training at theYuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training CenterinRussia.After training, these men returned toChinaand proceeded to train other Chinese astronauts at sites nearBeijingandJiuquan.[7]
The hardware and know-how purchased from Russia led to modifications of the original Step One spacecraft, later known calledShenzhou,roughly translated as "divine vessel". New launch facilities were built at the Jiuquan launch site inInner Mongolia,and in the spring of 1998, a mock-up of theLong March 2Flaunch vehicle with Shenzhou spacecraft was rolled out for integration and facility tests.[7]
Development[edit]
First Step[edit]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Jiuquan_Satellite_Launch_Center_with_sign.jpg/220px-Jiuquan_Satellite_Launch_Center_with_sign.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/Shenzhou-5_return_capsule_and_space_suit_at_NMC_02.jpg/220px-Shenzhou-5_return_capsule_and_space_suit_at_NMC_02.jpg)
The development ofLong March 2F,China's first human-rated launch vehicle, began in September 1992.[8]It was derived from theLong March 2E,but with alaunch escape systemand control system redundancy.
In December 1994, the first hot test fire of a human-rated rocket's engine was completed successfully.[8]
In 1996, two pilots from the Air Force, Wu Jie and Li Qinglong, were handpicked and sent to Russia for training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre.[9]
In January 1998, 14 pilots were selected as the first batch of Chinese astronaut candidates.[10]
In November 1998, a new flight control center,Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center,was opened to support CMS missions.[9]Also in that year, a new launch complex adapting the advanced "three verticals" (vertical assembly, vertical testing and vertical transport) strategy was put into service inJiuquan Satellite Launch Centerto support CMS missions exclusively.[11]
On 19 November 1999,Shenzhou 1,the first uncrewedShenzhou spacecraft,was launched fromJiuquan Satellite Launch Centerand entered predetermined orbit. The ground electrical test model was used during this test flight to meet the deadline by the end of 1999.[9]The return capsule of the spacecraft successfully separated with other parts and landed intact inInner Mongoliathe next day. Despite only limited systems being tested, the mission was still a successful test flight for theShenzhouspacecraft and Long March 2F rocket.
The second test flight ofShenzhouoccurred on 10 January 2001.Shenzhou 2,the first formal uncrewed spaceship of China, was launched into orbit and stayed for seven days before the return capsule separated and performed a safe landing.[12]
In 2002, China launchedShenzhou 3andShenzhou 4;both ended in success. All systems of the program had passed the tests perfectly, indicating a crewed mission was ready to be conducted.[9]
The fifth launch,Shenzhou 5,was the first to carry a human (Yang Liwei) and occurred at 01:00:00 UTC on 15 October 2003.[13]At 587 seconds after taking off, the spaceship separated from the rocket and entered an elliptical orbit with an inclination of 42.4°, the perigee height of 199.14 km and the apogee height of 347.8 km.[14]Yang became the first Chinese launched into space with Chinese launch vehicle and spacecraft. At 22:23 UTC on 15 October 2003, the re-entry module landed safely in central Inner Mongolia. The whole mission lasted for 21 hours and 23 minutes, making China the third country capable of sending humans to space and back independently, after Russia and the United States.
The first "multi-person and multi-day" crewed space flight,Shenzhou 6,was conducted during 12–17 October 2005. AstronautsFei JunlongandNie Haishengspent more than 4 days in space and orbited the Earth for 76 orbits.[15]
Second Step[edit]
The goal of the Second Step of CMS was to make technology breakthroughs inextravehicular activities(EVA) as well asspace rendezvousanddockingto support short-term human activities in space.[16]To complete the goal, China launched multiple crewed and uncrewed missions, including two prototypes of China's space station.
Phase 1: EVA, space rendezvous and docking[edit]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/Shenzhou_7_EVA_%281%29.png/220px-Shenzhou_7_EVA_%281%29.png)
On 25 September 2008,Shenzhou 7was launched into space with three astronauts,Zhai Zhigang,Liu BomingandJing Haipeng.During the flight, Zhai Zhigang and Liu Boming completed China's first EVA with the Feitian extravehicular space suit made in China and the Sea Hawk extravehicular space suit imported from Russia respectively.[17]
In order to practice space rendezvous and docking, China launched an 8,000 kg (18,000 lb) target vehicle,Tiangong 1,in 2011 with a variant ofLong March 2F,[18]followed byShenzhou 8,the first uncrewed Shenzhou spacecraft sinceShenzhou 5.The two spacecraft performed China's first automatic rendezvous and docking on 3 November 2011, which verified the performance of docking procedures and mechanisms.[19]About 9 months later,Tiangong 1completed the first manual rendezvous and docking withShenzhou 9,a crewed spacecraft carryingJing Haipeng,Liu Wangand China's first female astronautLiu Yang.[20]
On 11 June 2013, crewed spacecraftShenzhou 10carrying astronautsNie Haisheng,Zhang XiaoguangandWang Yapingwas launched into orbit and docked withTiangong 1.The three astronauts spent 12 days inTiangong 1by conducting scientific experiments, giving lectures to over 60 million students in China, and performing more docking tests before returning to Earth safely.[21]The completion of the missions fromShenzhou 6toShenzhou 10demonstrated China's technical advancement in human spaceflight, ending phase 1 of the Second Step.[22]
Phase 2: Space laboratory[edit]
![Rendering of Tianzhou-1 cargo spacecraft (left) and Tiangong-2 Space Laboratory (right) assembly in space](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/Tianzhou-1_and_Tiangong-2_rendering.jpg/220px-Tianzhou-1_and_Tiangong-2_rendering.jpg)
To further enhance China's human spaceflight capabilities and make preparation for the construction of future space station, China launched the second phase of the Second Step, which consisted of four space laboratory missions.
In June 2016, China conducted the maiden flight ofLong March 7,a new generation medium-lift launch vehicle with higher payload capability tolow Earth orbit,from the newly builtWenchang Space Launch Sitelocated in the coastalHainan Province.[23]
In September 2016,Tiangong 2was launched into orbit. It was a space laboratory with more advanced functions and equipment thanTiangong 1.A month later,Shenzhou 11was launched and docked withTiangong 2.Two astronauts,Jing HaipengandChen DongenteredTiangong 2and were stationed for about 30 days, breaking China's record for the longest human spaceflight mission while verifying the viability of astronauts' medium-term stay in space.[23]
In April 2017, China's first cargo spacecraft,Tianzhou 1docked withTiangong 2and completed multiple in-orbit propellant refueling tests, which marked the successful completion of the Second Step of CMS.[23]
Third Step[edit]
![Launch of Tianhe Core Module on 29 April 2021](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Launch_of_Tianhe_Core_Module_%28Cropped%29.jpg/220px-Launch_of_Tianhe_Core_Module_%28Cropped%29.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/Shenzhou-13_spacewalk.jpg/220px-Shenzhou-13_spacewalk.jpg)
On 5 May 2020, China successfully launched the maiden flight ofLong March 5B,whose payload capability was greater than 22,000 kg (49,000 lb), allowing China to put a large space station module into low Earth orbit.[24]The mission inaugurated the Third Step of CMS.[25]
The Third Step aims to complete the construction of China's space stationTiangong.It can be divided into two phases:[26]
Phase 1: demonstration of key technologies[edit]
On 29 April 2021, the second Long March 5B rocket lifted off fromWenchang,carrying the 22,500 kg (49,600 lb)Tianhecore module,the most complex spacecraft independently developed by China. The core module entered the predetermined orbit about 494 seconds after launch, marking the start of the in-orbit construction of China's space station.[26]
On 29 May 2021,Tianzhou 2,the first cargo spacecraft to the space station, was launched by a Long March 7 rocket and docked withTianhecore module 8 hours later.[27]The shipment included astronaut supplies, space station equipment, extravehicular space suits and propellant.[28]
The first crewed mission toTianhe,Shenzhou 12,was launched fromJiuquan Satellite Launch Centeron 17 June 2021. The spacecraft conducted China's first crewed autonomous rapid rendezvous and docking 6 hours 32 minutes after launch.[29]Three crew members,Nie Haisheng,Liu BomingandTang Hongbo,became the first inhabitants ofTiangongSpace Station.
At 00:11 UTC on 4 July 2021, two of theShenzhou 12crew members,Liu BomingandTang Hongbo,conducted the firstEVAon the space station, which lasted for 6 hours 46 minutes, breaking the previous 20-minute EVA record made duringShenzhou 7mission in 2008 by a huge margin.[30]
TheShenzhou 12crew returned to Earth safely on 17 September 2021.[31]
On 20 September 2021,Tianzhou 3cargo spacecraft was launched to Tiangong Space Station.[32]
On 15 October 2021,Shenzhou 13was launched and docked with theTianhecore module 6.5 hours later. The plan was for the crew, includingZhai Zhigang,Wang YapingandYe Guangfu,to complete a six-month stay, the longest one since the beginning of the program.[33]About three weeks later, Zhai Zhigang and Wang Yaping completed the crew's firstEVAon 7 November 2021, making Wang the first Chinese female astronaut to perform an EVA.[34]
At 07:59 UTC on 27 March 2022, theTianzhou 2cargo spacecraft was undocked from theTianhecore module after completing its mission,[35]followed by its controlled reentry into the atmosphere over the south Pacific on 31 March 2022.[36]TheShenzhou 13crew returned to Earth safely on 16 April 2022.[37]
Phase 2: assembly and construction[edit]
![Shenzhou 14 crew](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/%E7%A5%9E%E8%88%9F%E5%8D%81%E5%9B%9B%E5%8F%B7%E8%88%AA%E5%A4%A9%E5%91%98_Shenzhou_14_crew.jpg/220px-%E7%A5%9E%E8%88%9F%E5%8D%81%E5%9B%9B%E5%8F%B7%E8%88%AA%E5%A4%A9%E5%91%98_Shenzhou_14_crew.jpg)
![Rear view of Tiangong Space Station, taken by Tianzhou cargo spacecraft ahead of docking.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/Rear_view_of_Tiangong_Space_Station.jpg/220px-Rear_view_of_Tiangong_Space_Station.jpg)
![First gathering of two Chinese astronaut crews on Tiangong Space Station on November 30, 2022.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/First_gathering_on_Tiangong.jpg/220px-First_gathering_on_Tiangong.jpg)
Following the conclusion of phase 1, 6 more missions will be conducted to implement phase 2, including launches of 2laboratory modulesofTiangong,2 cargo spacecraft and 2 crewed spacecraft. All these missions are scheduled to be carried out by the end of 2022.[38]
On 9 May 2022,Tianzhou 4cargo spacecraft was launched to Tiangong Space Station,[39]which docked with the station the next day.
On 5 June 2022,Shenzhou 14was launched and docked to theTianhecore module almost 7 hours later. The crew, includingChen Dong,Liu YangandCai Xuzhe,spent six months on the space station during this very first crewed mission of the construction phase.[40]
On 17 July 2022 at 02:59 UTC, Tianzhou 3 cargo spacecraft was undocked from the Tianhe core module after completing its mission.[41]
On 24 July 2022, the third Long March 5B rocket lifted off fromWenchang,carrying the 23,200 kg (51,100 lb)Wentianlaboratory cabin module,the largest and heaviest spacecraft launched by China. The module docked with the space station less than 20 hours later, adding the second module and the first laboratory module to it.[42]
At 10:26 UTC on 1 September 2022, two of theShenzhou 14crew members, Chen Dong and Liu Yang, conducted the firstEVAfrom theWentianmodule's airlock, which lasted 6 hours 7 minutes.[43]About two weeks later, on 17 September 2022, at 05:35 UTC, the second spacewalk carried out by Chen Dong and Cai Xuzhe through the airlock of the Wentian lab module, with Liu Yang assisting the pair from inside the Tianhe core module.[44]
On 31 October 2022, the fourth Long March 5B rocket lifted off fromWenchang,carrying the 23,200 kg (51,100 lb)Mengtianlaboratory cabin module.The module docked with the space station less than 13 hours later, adding the third module and the second laboratory module to it.[45]On 3 November 2022, the 'T-shape' Tiangong space station was formed with the transpositioning of the last module.[46]
On 9 November 2022 at 06:55 UTC, Tianzhou 4 cargo spacecraft was undocked from the Tianhe core module after completing its mission.
On 12 November 2022,Tianzhou 5cargo spacecraft was launched to Tiangong Space Station and docked after 2 hours and 7 minutes, breaking the world record for the fastest rendezvous and docking between a spacecraft and a space station.[47]
On 17 November 2022 at 03:16 UTC, the third spacewalk was carried out, again by Chen Dong and Cai Xuzhe through the airlock of the Wentian lab module, with Liu Yang assisting the pair from inside the Tianhe core module.
On 29 November 2022 at 15:08 UTC,Shenzhou 15launched fromJiuquan Satellite Launch Center;the spacecraft docked with the space station about 6 and one-half hours later at 21:42 UTC. AstronautsFei Junlong,Deng Qingming,andZhang Lu(theShenzhou 15crew) were greeted by the Shenzhou 14 crew, completing the first crew handover on the China space station.[48]
With the completion of construction, the Space Station began the application and permanently crewed phase in which crew rotations would become routine. The station is expected to operate in orbit for no less than 10 years,[38]and perhaps up to 15 years, until 2038.[49]
Composition[edit]
![Foods carried by Chinese astronauts.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/Shenzhou_astronauts%27_food.jpg/220px-Shenzhou_astronauts%27_food.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Feitian_space_suit_at_NMC_02.jpg/180px-Feitian_space_suit_at_NMC_02.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Shenzhou_spacecraft_assembly.jpg/180px-Shenzhou_spacecraft_assembly.jpg)
China Manned Space Program is composed of 14 systems, with more than one thousand units from various sectors involved.[50][1]
The 14 systems (plus four more systems currently under development) and their main objectives are:
Astronaut System
Ensuring the health and performance of astronauts during long-term space flight
Space Application System
Making use of the on-board application support capacity to enable space science experiments and investigations.
Manned Spacecraft System (initial)
Development ofShenzhouseries crewed spacecraft used for transporting humans into space and back.
Space Laboratory System
Development of two prototypes of future space station,Tiangong 1andTiangong 2,for the purpose of technology demonstrations.
Permanently-Crewed Space Station
Development of a permanently-crewed long-term modular space station. The station is designed to allow the long-term study of astronomical, biological, and physical phenomena inlow Earth orbit.
Long March 2F
Development ofLong March 2F,the human-rated carrier rocket used to launchShenzhouspacecraft and space laboratories.
Long March 5B
Development ofLong March 5Bcarrier rocket, which is responsible for carrying space station modules for the construction ofTiangongSpace Station.
Long March 7
Development ofLong March 7carrier rocket designed forTianzhoucargo spacecraft launching.
Long March 10
Development of theLong March 10carrier rocket is currently underway. It is designed to launch crewed spacecraft to the Moon by the year 2030.
Long March 10A
Development of theLong March 10Ais currently underway. It is designed to launch a new generation of crewed spacecraft tolow Earth orbits.The first stage of this launcher will be recoverable and reusable; its first flight is anticipated to occur in 2027.
Next-generation crewed spacecraft
Development of thenext-generation crewed spacecraftis currently underway. It is designed to carry up to seven crew members toLEOsand three crew members to lunar orbit.
Crewed lunar lander
Development of thecrewed lunar landeris currently underway. It is designed to carry two astronauts to the lunar surface and to ferry them back to lunar orbit after a period of time.
Jiuquan Launch Center
Carrying out launch missions for crewed spaceship and space laboratory.
Wenchang Space Launch Site
Carrying out the launching ofTiangongspace station modules andTianzhoucargo spaceships.
TT&C and Communications System
Measuring, monitoring and controlling the flight path, altitude and operating status of the rockets and spacecraft, providing channels for video and voice communications with the astronauts and sending scientific data back to Earth.
Landing Site System
Tracking, searching and locating the landed re-entry capsules, rescuing the astronauts and refurbishing and recycling the re-entry capsules and payloads.
Cargo Vehicle System
Research and development ofTianzhoucargo vehicle.
Optical Module
Research and development of optical facilities and optical platforms.
Missions[edit]
- Mission types:
Conducted missions[edit]
The list below includes all missions operated by CMS, including crewed and uncrewed spacecraft, cargo spaceships, launch vehicle test flights and space station modules.
Sequence No. |
Mission | Launch | Launch Vehicle | Launch Site | Duration | Landing/Re-entry | Landing/Re-entry Location |
Crew | Outcome | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
↓ First Step ↓ | ||||||||||
1 | Shenzhou 1 | 19 November 1999 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan | 21 h 11 m | 20 November 1999 | Dorbod Banner | (uncrewed) | Success | First mission of CMS. Uncrewed test flight ofShenzhouspacecraft and Long March 2F rocket. |
2 | Shenzhou 2 | 9 January 2001 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan | 7 d 10 h 22 m | 16 January 2001 | Dorbod Banner | (uncrewed) | Partial success | Carried scientific payload including monkey, dog, rabbit and other animals. |
3 | Shenzhou 3 | 25 March 2002 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan | 6 d 18 h 51 m | 1 April 2002 | Dorbod Banner | (uncrewed) | Success | Carried a test dummy. |
4 | Shenzhou 4 | 29 December 2002 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan | 6 d 18 h 36 m | 5 January 2003 | Dorbod Banner | (uncrewed) | Success | Carried 2 test dummies and several science experiments. |
5 | Shenzhou 5 | 15 October 2003 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan | 21 h 22 m 45 s | 15 October 2003 | Dorbod Banner | ![]() |
Success | First crewed spaceflight of China; flight completed 14 Earth orbits. With this flight, China became the third nation capable of independent human spaceflight, after Russia and the U.S. |
6 | Shenzhou 6 | 12 October 2005 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan | 4 d 19 h 33 m | 16 October 2005 | Dorbod Banner | ![]() ![]() |
Success | Multiple days in space, 75 orbits. |
↓ Second Step, phase 1 ↓ | ||||||||||
7 | Shenzhou 7 | 25 September 2008 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan | 2 d 20 h 27 m | 28 September 2008 | Dorbod Banner | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Success | First three-person crew, first Chinese spacewalk. |
8 | Tiangong 1 | 29 September 2011 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan | — | 2 April 2018 | Southern Pacific | (uncrewed) | Success | Target vehicle for space rendezvous and docking testing. |
9 | Shenzhou 8 | 31 October 2011 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan | 16 d 13 h 34 m | 17 November 2011 | Dorbod Banner | (uncrewed) | Success | Uncrewed mission, completed China's first space rendezvous and docking with Tiangong-1. |
10 | Shenzhou 9 | 16 June 2012 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan | 12 d 15 h 24 m | 29 June 2012 | Dorbod Banner | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Success | First Chinese woman in space; first repeated flight; first crewed docking with Tiangong-1. |
11 | Shenzhou 10 | 11 June 2013 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan | 14 d 14 h 29 m | 26 June 2013 | Dorbod Banner | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Success | Second Chinese woman in space, second crewed docking with Tiangong-1. |
↓ Second Step, phase 2 ↓ | ||||||||||
12 | Long March 7 test flight |
25 June 2016 | Long March 7 | Wenchang | — | 26 June 2016 | Jiuquan | (uncrewed) | Success | Long March 7 test flight carrying scaled model ofnext-generation crewed spacecraft. |
13 | Tiangong 2 | 15 September 2016 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan | — | 19 July 2019 | Southern Pacific | (uncrewed) | Success | Space laboratory with rich equipment, capable of in-orbit refueling and supporting mid-term spaceflight. |
14 | Shenzhou 11 | 17 October 2016 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan | 32 d 06 h 29 m | 18 November 2016 | Dorbod Banner | ![]() ![]() |
Success | First and only crewed docking with Tiangong-2, crew set record for longest Chinese crewed spaceflight prior to the Third Step. |
15 | Tianzhou 1 | 20 April 2017 | Long March 7 | Wenchang | — | 22 September 2017 | (burnt up in atmosphere) | (uncrewed) | Success | First cargo spacecraft, completed in-orbit propellant refueling tests. |
↓ Third Step, phase 1 ↓ | ||||||||||
16 | Long March 5B test flight |
5 May 2020 | Long March 5B | Wenchang | — | 8 May 2020 | Jiuquan | (uncrewed) | Success | Long March 5B test flight carrying test vehicle ofnext-generation crewed spacecraft. |
17 | Tianhe Core Module |
29 April 2021 | Long March 5B | Wenchang | — | — | — | (uncrewed) | Success | First module ofTiangong Space Stationbeing launched into orbit. |
18 | Tianzhou 2 | 29 May 2021 | Long March 7 | Wenchang | — | 31 March 2022 | (burnt up in atmosphere) | (uncrewed) | Success | First cargo spacecraft to the space station. Undocked from Tianhe on 27 March 2022 at 07:55:29. |
19 | Shenzhou 12 | 17 June 2021 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan | 92 d 04 h 11 m | 17 September 2021 | Jiuquan | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Success | First crewed mission to dock with theTianhe Core Moduleto begin construction of theTiangong space station.[51] |
20 | Tianzhou 3 | 20 September 2021 | Long March 7 | Wenchang | — | 27 July 2022 | (burnt up in atmosphere) | (uncrewed) | Success | Second cargo spacecraft to the space station. Undocked from Tianhe on 17 July 2022 at 02:55. |
21 | Shenzhou 13 | 15 October 2021 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan | 182 d 09h 32 m | 16 April 2022 | Jiuquan | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Success | Second crewed mission to the space station to continue its construction. First spacewalk by a female Chinese astronaut. |
↓ Third Step, phase 2 ↓ | ||||||||||
22 | Tianzhou 4 | 9 May 2022 | Long March 7 | Wenchang | — | 14 November 2022 | (burnt up in atmosphere) | (uncrewed) | Success | Third cargo spacecraft to the space station. Undocked from Tianhe on 9 November 2022 at 06:55. |
23 | Shenzhou 14 | 5 June 2022 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan | 182 d 09h 25 m | 4 December 2022 | Jiuquan | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Success | Third crewed mission to the space station to continue its construction: two lab modules added during this mission thus completing the construction of the station. |
24 | Wentian Laboratory Cabin Module |
24 July 2022 | Long March 5B | Wenchang | — | — | — | (uncrewed) | Success | Laboratory Cabin Module I of the Tiangong Space Station. |
25 | Mengtian Laboratory Cabin Module |
31 October 2022 | Long March 5B | Wenchang | — | — | — | (uncrewed) | Success | Laboratory Cabin Module II of the Tiangong Space Station. |
26 | Tianzhou 5 | 12 November 2022 | Long March 7 | Wenchang | — | 13 September 2023 | (burnt up in atmosphere) | (uncrewed) | Success | Broke the record of shortest time from launch to docking (2 hours 07 minutes). |
27 | Shenzhou 15 | 29 November 2022 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan | 186 d 07h 25 m | 3 June 2023 | Jiuquan | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Success | Fourth crewed mission to the space station for its final stage of construction. First set of rotation of crew members. |
↓ Space station application and development phase ↓ | ||||||||||
28 | Tianzhou 6 | 10 May 2023 | Long March 7 | Wenchang | — | 19 January 2024 | (burnt up in atmosphere) | (uncrewed) | Success | Reduced launch frequency starting from this mission due to less demand for cargo resupply. The world'slargest active cargo supply spacecraftin terms of capacity.[52] |
29 | Shenzhou 16 | 30 May 2023 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan | 153 d 22h 41 m | 31 October 2023 | Jiuquan | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Success | Fifth crewed mission to the Tiangong space station. Includes civilian astronaut (payload specialist) for the first time. |
30 | Shenzhou 17 | 26 October 2023 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan | 187 d 6h 32 m | 30 April 2024 | Jiuquan | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Success | Sixth crewed mission to the Tiangong space station. |
31 | Tianzhou 7 | 17 January 2024 | Long March 7 | Wenchang | — | — | — | (uncrewed) | Ongoing | |
32 | Shenzhou 18 | 25 April 2024 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan | 6 months (planned) | October 2024 (planned) | Jiuquan | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Ongoing | Seventh crewed mission to the Tiangong space station. |
Upcoming missions[edit]
Sequence No. |
Mission | Launch (planned) |
Launch Vehicle | Launch Site | Duration | Landing/Re-entry | Landing/Re-entry Location |
Crew | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
33 | Tianzhou 8 | September 2024 | Long March 7 | Wenchang | — | — | — | (uncrewed) | |
34 | Shenzhou 19 | October 2024 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan | ~6 months | — | Jiuquan | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Eighth crewed mission to the Tiangong space station. |
35 | Shenzhou 20 | April 2025 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan | ~6 months | — | Jiuquan | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Ninth crewed mission to the Tiangong space station. |
36 | Tianzhou 9 | May 2025 | Long March 7 | Wenchang | — | — | — | (uncrewed) | |
37 | Shenzhou 21 | October 2025 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan | ~6 months | — | Jiuquan | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Tenth crewed mission to the Tiangong space station. |
38 | Xuntian Space Station Telescope |
2026 | Long March 5B | Wenchang | — | — | — | (uncrewed) | Space telescope of the Tiangong. |
Astronauts (Taikonauts)[edit]
November 1996 trainer selection[edit]
There were two astronaut trainers selected for Project 921. They trained at theYuri Gagarin Cosmonauts Training Centerin Russia.
- Li Qinglong– born August 1962 in Dingyuan, Anhui Province andPLAAFinterceptor pilot and space instructor atStar City
- Wu Jie– born October 1963 in Zhengzhou, Henan Province and PLAAF fighter pilot
January 1998 astronaut candidate selection[edit]
- Chen Quan– PLAAF pilot
- Deng Qingming– from Jiangxi Province and PLAAF pilot, back up onShenzhou 11,flew onShenzhou 15
- Fei Junlong– second Chinese astronaut, commander ofShenzhou 6andShenzhou 15
- Jing Haipeng– born October 1966 and PLAAF pilot, astronaut ofShenzhou 7,Shenzhou 9,Shenzhou 11andShenzhou 16
- Liu Boming– born September 1966 and PLAAF pilot, astronaut ofShenzhou 7andShenzhou 12
- Liu Wang– born in Shanxi Province and PLAAF pilot, flew onShenzhou 9
- Nie Haisheng– back up inShenzhou 5,flight engineer onShenzhou 6,commander ofShenzhou 10andShenzhou 12
- Pan Zhanchun– PLAAF pilot
- Yang Liwei– first man sent into space by thespace program of ChinaonShenzhou 5,made the PRC the third country to independently send people into space
- Zhai Zhigang– back up inShenzhou 5,commander ofShenzhou 7andShenzhou 13
- Zhang Xiaoguang– born in Liaoning Province and PLAAF pilot, flew onShenzhou 10
- Zhao Chuandong– PLAAF pilot
2010 astronaut candidate selection[edit]
- Cai Xuzhe– flew onShenzhou 14
- Chen Dong– flew onShenzhou 11,commander ofShenzhou 14
- Liu Yang– first Chinese woman into space, flew onShenzhou 9andShenzhou 14
- Tang Hongbo– flew onShenzhou 12andShenzhou 17
- Wang Yaping– second Chinese woman into space, flew onShenzhou 10andShenzhou 13
- Ye Guangfu– flew onShenzhou 13
- Zhang Lu– flew onShenzhou 15
2020 astronaut candidate selection[edit]
18 people - 17 men, 1 woman, 14 of whose names have yet to be revealed - had been selected as new astronauts. The positions were broken down as 7 spacecraft pilots ( "aviators of the People's Liberation Army Air Force" ), 7 flight engineers ( "former researchers or technicians in aeronautics, astronautics and other related fields" ), and 4 mission payload specialists ( "those involved in space science and through applications for China's manned space program" ).[53]
- Zhu Yangzhu- flew onShenzhou 16as spaceflight engineer
- Gui Haichao- flew onShenzhou 16as payload specialist
- Jiang Xinlin- flew onShenzhou 17as spaceflight engineer
- Tang Shengjie- flew onShenzhou 17as pilot
- Li Cong- flew onShenzhou 18as spaceflight engineer
- Li Guangsu- flew onShenzhou 18as pilot
2022 astronaut candidate selection[edit]
![]() | This section needs to beupdated.(May 2024) |
12 to 14 people are to be selected as new astronauts. The positions were broken down as 7-8 spacecraft pilots ( "aviators of the People's Liberation Army Air Force" ) and 5-6 spaceflight engineers ( "former researchers or technicians in aeronautics, astronautics and other related fields" ). Up to two of the latter group will become payload specialists ( "those involved in space science and through applications for China's manned space program" ). Candidacy was extended to include Hong Kong and Macau.[54]
International collaborations[edit]
In 2016, theChina Manned Space Agency(CMSA) signed a Framework Agreement and a Funding Agreement with theUnited Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs(UNOOSA) to increase cooperation on a future Chinese space station.[55]
On 28 May 2018, UNOOSA and CMSA announced an initiative to accept applications fromUnited NationsMember States to conduct experiments onboard China's space station.[56]
On 12 June 2019, the winners of the competitors were announced. 9 projects, involving 23 institutions from 17 Member States of theUnited Nations,were selected by experts.[57]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
Citations[edit]
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External links[edit]
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