China will mark its 10th Space Day with the launch of the Shenzhou-20 manned spacecraft on April 24 at 5:17 pm Beijing Time, cementing its status as a global space power. From humble beginnings in the 1950s to lunar exploration, here are four pivotal moments that shaped China's cosmic journey:
1. Dawn of the Space Age
China\u2019s first satellite, Dongfanghong-1, launched in 1970, made it the fifth nation to achieve independent orbital capabilities. This breakthrough laid the groundwork for future programs like Shenzhou and Chang\u2019e.
2. Human Spaceflight Triumph
In 2003, Yang Liwei became China\u2019s first astronaut aboard Shenzhou-5, completing 14 Earth orbits. This milestone positioned China alongside the U.S. and Russia in manned space exploration.
3. Tiangong Space Station Era
The 2021 launch of the Tianhe core module initiated China\u2019s permanent orbital presence. Today, the Tiangong station hosts cutting-edge experiments in microgravity and international collaborations.
4. Lunar & Martian Frontiers
The Chang\u2019e-5 mission\u2019s 2020 lunar sample return and the Zhurong rover\u2019s 2021 Mars landing demonstrated China\u2019s deep-space capabilities, with crewed lunar missions planned before 2030.
