Recent developments signal that space mining, once confined to science fiction, is edging closer to reality. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation announced plans to conduct feasibility studies 2026 through to 2030. For a major project known as "Tiangong Kaiwu."

Chinese scientists have created a high-res model to evaluate water ice stability in the Moon’s Shackleton Crater, a potential landing site for China’s Chang’e-7 mission. Launching in 2026, the mission will conduct detailed remote sensing and on-site analysis of water ice at the lunar south pole.

This just about says it all... China: We're going to land on the moon before the 80th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. US: We're going to land on the moon before the end of the Trump administration.

Chinese scientists have created a high-res model to evaluate water ice stability in the Moon’s Shackleton Crater, a potential landing site for China’s Chang’e-7 mission. Launching in 2026, the mission will conduct detailed remote sensing and on-site analysis of water ice at the lunar south pole.

This just about says it all... China: We're going to land on the moon before the 80th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. US: We're going to land on the moon before the end of the Trump administration.

🚩🚀🌕 It's all coming together! China is targeting a crewed lunar landing by 2030. The development of various tasks for the mission is progressing smoothly, with multiple breakthroughs achieved in phases, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

China will continue advancing its space station operations and crewed lunar exploration in 2026, the CMSA announced. The station remains stable in orbit, while research, development, and construction for the lunar landing phase are progressing steadily, with major breakthroughs achieved.

China on Friday announced its 2026 space mission plan, featuring two crewed flights and one cargo resupply mission. One Shenzhou-23 taikonaut will conduct a year-long stay in orbit. Taikonauts from Hong Kong and Macao are expected to visit China’s space station as early as this year, per CMSA.

China's Shenzhou-21 crew captured stunning footage of the Earth through the windows of the Tiangong space station, sending their best wishes for the Year of the Horse.

China's Shenzhou-21 crew captured stunning footage of the Earth through the windows of the Tiangong space station, sending their best wishes for the Year of the Horse.

China’s Zhuque-3, a reusable liquid oxygen–methane rocket built for low-cost, high-capacity, frequent launches, plans a new recovery test in Q2 2026 and targets its first recovery-and-reuse flight in Q4 2026. A December attempt reached orbit, but first-stage recovery failed.

China’s Zhuque-3, a reusable liquid oxygen–methane rocket built for low-cost, high-capacity, frequent launches, plans a new recovery test in Q2 2026 and targets its first recovery-and-reuse flight in Q4 2026. A December attempt reached orbit, but first-stage recovery failed.

China launched more than 120 remote-sensing satellites in 2025, ( Collecting data on our planet's surface, atmosphere, and oceans from orbit. ) bringing the number of civilian remote-sensing satellites in orbit to more than 640, continuing to rank second globally.

🌏🛰️Views From China's Space Station : The Tiangong space station is a permanently crewed space station constructed by China and operated by China Manned Space Agency. Tiangong is a modular design, with modules docked together while in low Earth orbit, between 340 and 450 km above the surface.

A U.S. astronaut captures stunning Chinese New Year view from the space 🛰️

Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan is expected to finish construction for the country's future crewed lunar landing missions in H2 2026. The first launch pad for the mission marked a key milestone by completing its first ignition and flight test.

Using computational optics and AI algorithms, Chinese researchers have developed an AI model for astronomical imaging that significantly enhances scientists' ability to peer into the deepest reaches of the cosmos.

China launched more than 120 remote-sensing satellites in 2025, ( Collecting data on our planet's surface, atmosphere, and oceans from orbit. ) bringing the number of civilian remote-sensing satellites in orbit to more than 640, continuing to rank second globally.

🌏🛰️Views From China's Space Station : The Tiangong space station is a permanently crewed space station constructed by China and operated by China Manned Space Agency. Tiangong is a modular design, with modules docked together while in low Earth orbit, between 340 and 450 km above the surface.

Looking Back : Zhurong was China’s first Mars rover and part of the Tianwen-1 mission by the China National Space Administration. Launched on 23 July 2020, it entered Mars orbit on 10 February 2021. The lander carrying Zhurong made a successful soft landing on 14 May 2021.

Looking Back : The Sights and Sounds of China’s first Mars Rover, Zhurong, which arrived in Utopia Planitia on May 14, 2021, with the Tianwen-1 Lander. Designed for 90 days, it ran for 358, and travelled 1,921 meters. It found radar evidence of an ancient, water-rich Martian coastline!

Looking Back : Zhurong was China’s first Mars rover and part of the Tianwen-1 mission by the China National Space Administration. Launched on 23 July 2020, it entered Mars orbit on 10 February 2021. The lander carrying Zhurong made a successful soft landing on 14 May 2021.

Looking Back : The Sights and Sounds of China’s first Mars Rover, Zhurong, which arrived in Utopia Planitia on May 14, 2021, with the Tianwen-1 Lander. Designed for 90 days, it ran for 358, and travelled 1,921 meters. It found radar evidence of an ancient, water-rich Martian coastline!

As China celebrates the 2026 Spring Festival, the crew of the Shenzhou-21 mission aboard the Tiangong space station has received a remarkable gift, a thriving harvest of tomatoes grown in the "space vegetable garden", demonstrating the potential for sustained plant life beyond Earth's atmosphere.

China's state-owned enterprises (SOEs) directly administered by the central government stepped up investment in R&D in 2025 as part of efforts to advance innovation-driven development, data from the country's state-asset regulator showed:

As China celebrates the 2026 Spring Festival, the crew of the Shenzhou-21 mission aboard the Tiangong space station has received a remarkable gift, a thriving harvest of tomatoes grown in the "space vegetable garden", demonstrating the potential for sustained plant life beyond Earth's atmosphere.

China's state-owned enterprises (SOEs) directly administered by the central government stepped up investment in R&D in 2025 as part of efforts to advance innovation-driven development, data from the country's state-asset regulator showed:

Lunar New Year in space! - The Shenzhou-21 crew celebrates with dumplings, milk tea… and even space ice cream for dessert!

China’s first astronaut, Yang Liwei, has retired from active duty but continues training and stands ready to fly again if called. He told CCTV that the first astronaut corps was grounded in October per regulations, yet would resume missions if the nation needs them. Yang orbited Earth in 2003.