On China’s Space Day, April 24, China announced ambitious plans for its space exploration in 2024, including the launch of the Shenzhou-18 crewed spaceship and approximately 100 space missions, marking a new milestone in the nation’s aerospace history.
The celebration of Space Day commemorates the launch of China’s first satellite, Dongfanghong-1, into orbit on April 24, 1970. Building on decades of progress, China carried out 67 space launch missions last year, placing 221 spacecraft into orbit, and ranking second globally after the United States.
Record-Breaking Launch Missions
In 2024, China aims to set a new record with around 100 space launch missions. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the nation’s leading aerospace contractor, is scheduled to conduct nearly 70 of these missions, deploying over 290 spacecraft into space.
Among the planned launches is the inaugural flight from China’s first commercial spacecraft launch site, currently under construction in Wenchang, in south China’s island province of Hainan. This new facility will bolster China’s capabilities in commercial space endeavors.
Advancements in Rocket Technology
CASC is set to implement the first flight of the new Long March-12 rocket. This rocket is China’s first single-core stage liquid launch vehicle with a diameter of 3.8 meters, featuring a two-stage configuration powered by six liquid oxygen/kerosene engines. The Long March-12 boasts a carrying capacity of at least 10 tonnes to near-Earth orbit and 6 tonnes to a 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit, enhancing China’s capacity for low-orbit satellite constellations and sun-synchronous orbit missions.
Lunar and Deep Space Exploration
Continuing its exploration of the Moon, China plans to launch the Chang’e-6 lunar probe in 2024. This mission aims to collect samples from the far side of the Moon, a first in human history. The mission will carry scientific instruments from France, Italy, and the European Space Agency/Sweden on its lander, and a payload from Pakistan on its orbiter, showcasing international cooperation in space exploration.
Additionally, CASC is advancing the development of the Tianwen-2 probe, which will conduct asteroid sampling, contributing valuable data to our understanding of near-Earth objects.
International Lunar Research Station Welcomes New Partners
On Space Day, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced that Nicaragua, the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization, and the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences will join the construction and operation of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). This collaborative project aims to build a lunar research station in three phases, with a basic model expected to be completed around 2030. The ILRS will operate autonomously for extended periods, with short-term human participation, and represents a significant step in international cooperation in lunar exploration.
Expanding Scientific Missions
CASC’s 2024 agenda includes the development of over 200 spacecraft, such as the new-generation near-Earth crewed spacecraft and a geostationary microwave probe satellite. Other missions comprise launching a detection satellite for ocean salinity, an electromagnetic monitoring satellite, and an astronomical probe co-developed with France, highlighting China’s commitment to advancing scientific knowledge through space exploration.
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China's Space Day: Unveiling upcoming space missions in 2024
cgtn.com
