China National Space Administration
6 reportsDiscussion of China National Space Administration distinguishes lunar exploration, planetary missions, and Tiangong-related activities. The record for Tiangong-related activities is strongest when official mission records can be corroborated by released scientific data; uncertainty persists because limited public documentation can constrain external verification of schedules and performance.
China Unveils Detailed Lunar Map and New Geologic Timeline
Chinese researchers have released a new 1:5 million scale map of the Moon, updating lunar geologic eras and far side data using recent sample-return missions and reprocessed spectral analysis
Long March 7A Rocket Explodes 85 Seconds After Launch in China
A Long March 7A rocket carrying the Zhongxing-4B satellite exploded less than two minutes after liftoff from Wenchang, raising questions about the reliability of China's medium-lift launch vehicles and the impact on future missions
Landspace Schedules Second Zhuque-3 Rocket Landing Attempt for August 10
Chinese launch company Landspace plans a renewed attempt to recover its Zhuque-3 orbital rocket booster, targeting liftoff and powered landing from Jiuquan spaceport on August 10 following a previous failed recovery in 2025
Faint X-ray Flash Reveals Unusual Supernova in Nearby Galaxy
A brief X-ray signal detected by China's Einstein Probe in March 2026 has allowed astronomers to observe the earliest moments of a rare Type Ic supernova, offering new insight into how massive stars end their lives
Chinese Long March 3B Rocket Struck by Lightning Survives Launch
A Long March 3B rocket was hit by lightning seconds after liftoff from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, yet continued its ascent and successfully deployed a geostationary relay satellite to support China's Tiangong space station
Africa's BALLS Radio Array to Ride Chang'e 8 to Lunar South Pole
A trio of spherical radio astronomy probes from Africa is set to launch aboard China's Chang'e 8 lander in 2029, aiming to deploy at the moon's south pole and test low-frequency radio observations beyond Earth's atmospheric limits