Editing Chinese space program (section)

==History==

===Early years (1950s to mid-1970s)===
[[File:Tsien Hsue-shen.jpg|left|thumb|alt=Qian Xuesen, the forefather of Chinese space program|[[Qian Xuesen]], the forefather of Chinese space program]]
The Chinese space program began in the form of missile research in the 1950s. After its birth in 1949, the newly founded People's Republic of China was in pursuit of missile technology to build up the nation's defense for the [[Cold War]]. In 1955, [[Qian Xuesen]] ({{Zh|s=钱学森|labels=no}}), the world-class rocketry scientist, returned to China from the United States. In 1956, Qian submitted a proposal for the development of China's missile program, which was approved in just a few months. On October 8, China's first missile research institute, the Fifth Research Academy under the Ministry of National Defense, was established with less than 200 staff, most of which were recruited by Qian. The event was later recognized as the birth of China's space program.<ref>{{cite web |title=老五院：中国航天六十甲子的起点 |url=http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1411844/c1412221/content.html |website=[[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation]] |access-date=2022-10-13 |date=2016-07-29 |archive-date=2022-10-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015014757/http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1411844/c1412221/content.html |language=zh }}</ref>

To fully utilize all available resources, China kick-started its missile development by manufacturing a licensed copy of two Soviet [[R-2 (missile)|R-2 missiles]], which were secretly shipped to China in December 1957 as part of the cooperative technology transfer program between the [[Soviet Union]] and China. The Chinese version of the missile was given the code name "1059" with the expectation of being launched in 1959. But the target date was soon postponed due to various difficulties arising from the sudden withdrawal of Soviet technical assistance due to the [[Sino-Soviet split]].<ref name=1059missle>{{cite web |title=1059：东风破晓开天地 |url=http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1411844/c1412208/content.html |website=[[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation]] |access-date=2022-10-13 |date=2016-08-03 |archive-date=2022-10-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015132920/http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1411844/c1412208/content.html |language=zh }}</ref> Meanwhile, China started constructing its first missile test site in the Gobi desert of [[Inner Mongolia]], which later became the famous [[Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center]] ({{Zh|s=酒泉卫星发射中心|labels=no}}), China's first spaceport.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

After the launch of mankind's first artificial satellite, [[Sputnik 1]], by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, Mao Zedong decided during the [[8th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party]] (CCP) on May 17, 1958, to make China an equal of the superpowers ({{Zh|s="我们也要搞人造卫星"|l=We too need satellites}}), by adopting ''Project 581'' with the objective of placing a satellite in orbit by 1959 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the PRC's founding.<ref>{{cite web |date=2007-10-16 |title=赵九章与中国卫星 |trans-title=Zhao Jiuzhang and China Satellite |url=http://www.cas.ac.cn/html/Dir/2007/10/16/15/33/09.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314030932/http://www.cas.ac.cn/html/Dir/2007/10/16/15/33/09.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=March 14, 2008 |access-date=July 3, 2008 |publisher=[[中国科学院]] |language=zh}}</ref> This goal was soon proven unrealistic, and it was decided to focus on the development of [[sounding rocket]]s first.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

[[File:T-7M(1).jpg|thumb|alt=Mao Zedong inspecting a T-7M rocket after its successful launch|[[Mao Zedong]] inspecting a T-7M rocket after its successful launch]]
The first achievement of the program was the launch of [[T-7 (rocket)|T-7M]], a sounding rocket that eventually reached the height of 8&nbsp;km on February 19, 1960. It was the first rocket developed by Chinese engineers.<ref>{{cite web |title="8公里，那也了不起" |url=http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1449297/n1449403/c1456218/content.html |website=[[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation]] |access-date=2022-10-13 |date=2016-09-30 |archive-date=2022-10-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013225216/http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1449297/n1449403/c1456218/content.html |language=zh }}</ref> The success was praised by Mao Zedong as a good beginning of an indigenous Chinese rocket development.<ref>{{cite web |author1=宋忠保 |author2=沈慧良 |title=第一枚探空火箭发射 |url=http://www.nssc.cas.cn/ztzl2015/zgkjkxzl2015/jnwj/201609/t20160906_4659279.html |website=中国科学院国家空间科学中心 |access-date=2022-10-13 |date=2015-11-05 |archive-date=2022-10-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013225215/http://www.nssc.cas.cn/ztzl2015/zgkjkxzl2015/jnwj/201609/t20160906_4659279.html |language=zh }}</ref> However, all Soviet technological assistance was abruptly withdrawn after the 1960 Sino-Soviet split, and Chinese scientists continued on the program with extremely limited resources and knowledge.<ref name="futron">{{cite web|url=http://www.futron.com/upload/wysiwyg/Resources/Whitepapers/China_n_%20Second_Space_Age_1003.pdf|title=China and the Second Space Age|access-date=6 October 2011|publisher=Futron Corporation|year=2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419165427/http://www.futron.com/upload/wysiwyg/Resources/Whitepapers/China_n_%20Second_Space_Age_1003.pdf|archive-date=19 April 2012}}</ref> It was under these harsh conditions that China successfully launched the first "missile 1059", fueled by alcohol and liquid oxygen, on December 5, 1960, marking a successful imitation of Soviet missile. The missile 1059 was later renamed as ''[[Dongfeng-1]]'' (DF-1, {{Zh|s=东风一号|labels=no}}).<ref name=1059missle/>

[[File:Dongfeng-2 missile.jpg|thumb|180px|left|alt=Dongfeng-2 missile|[[Dongfeng-2]] missile]]
While the imitation of Soviet missile was still in progress, the Fifth Academy led by Qian had begun the development of ''Dongfeng-2'' (DF-2), the first missile to be designed and built completely by the Chinese. After a failed attempt in March 1962, multiple improvements, and hundreds of engine firing tests, DF-2 achieved its first successful launch on its second attempt on Jun 29, 1964 in Jiuquan. It was considered as a major milestone in China's indigenous missile development history.<ref>{{cite web |title=不信"东风"唤不回 |url=http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1449297/n1449403/c1456297/content.html |website=[[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation]] |access-date=2022-10-13 |date=2016-09-30 |archive-date=2022-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014062203/http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1449297/n1449403/c1456297/content.html |language=zh }}</ref>

In the next few years, ''Dongfeng-2'' conducted seven more launches, all ended in success. On October 27, 1966, as part of the "[[Two Bombs, One Satellite]]" project, ''Dongfeng-2A'', an improved version of DF-2, successfully launched and detonated a nuclear warhead at its target.<ref>{{cite web |title="两弹结合"壮国威 |url=http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1449297/n1449403/c1456363/content.html |website=[[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation]] |access-date=6 May 2023 |language=zh |date=30 September 2016}}</ref> As China's missile industry matures, a new plan of developing [[carrier rocket]]s and launching satellites was proposed and approved in 1965 with the name ''Project 581'' changed to ''Project 651''.<ref name="danshengji">{{cite web |title=中国第一颗人造地球卫星"东方红一号"诞生记 |url=https://tech.sina.com.cn/d/2020-04-15/doc-iirczymi6456577.shtml |website=新浪网 |access-date=2022-08-28 |date=2020-04-13 |archive-date=2022-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828070739/https://tech.sina.com.cn/d/2020-04-15/doc-iirczymi6456577.shtml |language=zh }}</ref> On January 30, 1970, China successfully tested the newly developed two-stage ''[[Dongfeng-4]]'' (DF-4) missile, which demonstrated critical technologies like [[Multistage rocket|rocket staging]], engine in-flight ignition, [[Spacecraft attitude control|attitude control]].<ref>{{cite web |title=大国长剑啸东风 |url=http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1449297/n1449403/c1456558/content.html |website=[[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation]] |access-date=2022-10-14 |date=2016-09-30 |archive-date=2022-10-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015231044/http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1449297/n1449403/c1456558/content.html |language=zh }}</ref> The DF-4 was used to develop the [[Long March 1]] (LM-1 or CZ-1, {{Zh|s=长征一号|labels=no}}), with a newly designed spin-up orbital insertion solid-propellant rocket motor third stage added to the two existing [[Nitric acid]]/[[UDMH]] liquid propellant stages.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

China's space program benefited from the [[Third Front (China)|Third Front]] campaign to develop basic industry and national defense industry in China's rugged interior in preparation for potential invasion by the Soviet Union or the United States.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last=Meyskens |first=Covell F. |title=Mao's Third Front: The Militarization of Cold War China |date=2020 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |isbn=978-1-108-78478-8 |location=Cambridge, United Kingdom |doi=10.1017/9781108784788 |oclc=1145096137 |s2cid=218936313}}</ref>{{Rp|pages=4, 218–219}} Almost all of China's new aerospace [[work unit]]s in the late 1960s and early 1970s were established as part of the Third Front and Third Front projects included expansion of Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, building [[Xichang Satellite Launch Center]], and building [[Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center]].<ref name=":02" />{{Rp|pages=218–219}}

[[File:Dongfanghong-1.jpg|thumb|right|[[Dong Fang Hong I]] - First Chinese satellite (1970)]]
On April 24, 1970, China successfully launched the 173&nbsp;kg ''[[Dong Fang Hong I]]'' ({{Zh|s=东方红一号|labels=no}}, meaning [[The East Is Red (song)|The East Is Red]] I) atop a [[Long March 1]] (CZ-1, {{Zh|s=长征一号|labels=no}}) rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. It was the heaviest first satellite placed into orbit by a nation. The third stage of the Long March 1 was specially equipped with a 40 m<sup>2</sup> solar reflector ({{Zh|s=观察球|labels=no}}) deployed by the [[centrifugal force]] developed by the spin-up orbital insertion solid propellant stage.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cctv.com.cn/program/tsfx/20030729/100316.shtml |title =《东方红卫星传奇》|publisher= [[China Central Television]] |date=2007-07-03|access-date=August 29, 2008}}</ref> China's second satellite was launched with the last Long March 1 on March 3, 1971. The 221&nbsp;kg [[Shijian|ShiJian-1]] (SJ-1, {{Zh|s=实践一号|labels=no}}) was equipped with a [[magnetometer]] and [[cosmic-ray]]/[[x-ray]] detectors.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

In addition to the satellite launch, China also made small progress in [[human spaceflight]]. The first successful launch and recovery of a [[T-7 Sounding rocket|T-7A(S1)]] sounding rocket carrying a biological experiment (it carried eight white mice) was on July 19, 1964, from [[Base 603]] ({{Zh|s=六〇三基地|p=|labels=no}}).<ref>{{cite web |url = http://tech.tom.com/1121/1122/2005919-251565.html |title=回收生物返回舱 |publisher=雷霆万钧 |date=September 19, 2005 |access-date=July 24, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051222025122/http://tech.tom.com/1121/1122/2005919-251565.html |archive-date=December 22, 2005 }}</ref> As the [[space race]] between the two superpowers reached its climax with the conquest of the Moon, Mao and [[Zhou Enlai]] decided on July 14, 1967, that China should not be left behind, and started China's own crewed space program.<ref>{{cite web|date=September 16, 2005|title=首批航天员19人胜出 为后来积累了宝贵的经验|url=http://tech.tom.com/1121/1122/2005916-250955.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051222024152/http://tech.tom.com/1121/1122/2005916-250955.html|archive-date=December 22, 2005|access-date=July 24, 2008|publisher=雷霆万钧}}</ref> China's first spacecraft designed for human occupancy was named ''Shuguang-1'' ({{Zh|s=曙光一号|labels=no}}) in January 1968.<ref>{{cite web|date=October 5, 2005|title=第一艘无人试验飞船发射成功—回首航天路|url=http://www.cctv.com/news/china/20051005/100369.shtml|access-date=August 2, 2007|publisher=cctv.com}}</ref> [[China's Space Medical Institute]] ({{Zh|s=航天医学工程研究所|labels=no}}) was founded on April 1, 1968, and the [[Central Military Commission (China)|Central Military Commission]] issued the order to start the selection of astronauts. The first crewed space program, known as ''Project 714'', was officially adopted in April 1971 with the goal of sending two astronauts into space by 1973 aboard the [[Shuguang spacecraft]]. The first screening process for astronauts had already ended on March 15, 1971, with 19 astronauts chosen. But the program was soon canceled in the same year due to political turmoil, ending China's first human spaceflight attempt.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

[[File:DF-5 early model.jpg|thumb|alt=Early model of DF-5 ICBM.|Early model of [[DF-5]] ICBM]]
While CZ-1 was being developed, the development of China's first long-range [[intercontinental ballistic missile]], namely ''[[Dongfeng-5]]'' (DF-5), has started since 1965. The first test flight of DF-5 was conducted in 1971. After that, its technology was adopted by two different models of Chinese [[medium-lift launch vehicle]]s being developed. One of the two was ''[[Feng Bao 1]]'' (FB-1, {{Zh|s=风暴一号|labels=no}}) developed by [[Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology|Shanghai's 2nd Bureau of Mechanic-Electrical Industry]], the predecessor of Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST). The other parallel medium-lift LV program, also based on the same DF-5 ICBM and known as ''[[Long March 2]]'' (CZ-2, {{Zh|s=长征二号|labels=no}}), was started in Beijing by the First Research Academy of the Seventh Ministry of Machine Building, which later became [[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology]] (CALT). Both FB-1 and CZ-2 were fueled by [[dinitrogen tetroxide|N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>]] and [[UDMH]], the same propellant used by DF-5.<ref name=fb1>{{cite web |title=风暴一号展雄心 |url=http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1449297/n1449403/c1456627/content.html |website=[[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation]] |access-date=2022-10-14 |date=2016-09-30 |archive-date=2022-10-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015231043/http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1449297/n1449403/c1456627/content.html |language=zh }}</ref>

On July 26, 1975, FB-1 made its first successful flight, placing the 1107-kilogram ''Changkong-1'' ({{Zh|s=长空一号|labels=no}}) satellite into orbit. It was the first time that China launched a payload heavier than 1 metric ton.<ref name=fb1/> Four months later, on November 26, CZ-2 successfully launched the [[Fanhui Shi Weixing-0|FSW-0 No.1]] ({{Zh|s=返回式卫星零号|labels=no}}) recoverable satellite into orbit. The satellite returned to earth and was successfully recovered three days later, making China the third country capable of recovering a satellite, after the Soviet Union and the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title="长征二号"发射首颗返回式卫星 |url=http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n790255/n790275/c803490/content.html |website=中国航天科技集团公司 |publisher=中国航天报 |access-date=2021-07-10 |date=2014-12-07 |archive-date=2021-07-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710163251/http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n790255/n790275/c803490/content.html |language=zh }}</ref> FB-1 and CZ-2, which were developed by two different institutes, were later evolved into two different branches of the classic [[Long March rocket family]]: Long March 4 and Long March 2.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

As part of the Third Front effort to relocate critical defense infrastructure to the relatively remote interior (away from the Soviet border), it was decided to construct a new space center in the mountainous region of [[Xichang]] in the [[Sichuan]] province, code-named [[Xichang Satellite Launch Center|Base 27]]. After expansion, the Northern Missile Test Site was upgraded as a test base in January 1976 to become the Northern Missile Test Base ({{Zh|s=华北导弹试验基地|labels=no}}) known as [[Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center|Base 25]].{{cn|date=November 2024}}

===New era (late 1970s to 1980s)===
After Mao died on September 9, 1976, his rival, [[Deng Xiaoping]], denounced during the [[Cultural Revolution]] as [[reactionary]] and therefore forced to retire from all his offices, slowly re-emerged as China's new leader in 1978. At first, the new development was slowed. Then, several key projects deemed unnecessary were simply cancelled—the [[Fanji ABM system]], the [[Xianfeng Anti-Missile Super Gun]], the ICBM Early Warning Network [[7010 Tracking Radar]] and the land-based high-power anti-missile laser program. Nevertheless, some development did proceed. The first [[Yuanwang]]-class space tracking ship was commissioned in 1979. The first full-range test of the DF-5 ICBM was conducted on May 18, 1980. The payload reached its target located 9300&nbsp;km away in the South Pacific ({{Coord|7|0|S|117|33|E|name=DF-5 ICBM test impact}}) {{Dubious|date=May 2020}} and retrieved five minutes later by helicopter.<ref>{{cite web |title="倚天长剑"飞向太平洋 |url=http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1449297/n1449403/c1456605/content.html |website=[[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation]] |access-date=7 May 2023 |language=zh |date=30 September 2016}}</ref> In 1982, [[Long March 2C]] (CZ-2C, {{Zh|s=长征二号丙|labels=no}}), an upgraded version of Long March 2 based on DF-5 with 2500&nbsp;kg [[low Earth orbit]] (LEO) payload capacity, completed its maiden flight. Long March 2C, along with many of its derived models, eventually became the backbone of Chinese space program in the following decades.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

As China changing its direction from political activities to economy development since late 1970s, the demand for [[communications satellite]]s surged. As a result, the Chinese communications satellite program, code name ''Project 331'', was started on March 31, 1975. The first generation of China's own communication satellites was named ''[[Dong Fang Hong 2]]'' (DFH-2, {{Zh|s=东方红二号|labels=no}}), whose development was led by the famous satellite expert [[Sun Jiadong]].<ref name="minshiquan">{{cite web |title=闵士权：天上一颗星，人间几十载 |url=https://tech.sina.com.cn/roll/2019-09-17/doc-iicezzrq6316194.shtml |website=新浪科技 |access-date=2022-10-16 |date=2019-09-17 |archive-date=2022-10-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016155158/https://tech.sina.com.cn/roll/2019-09-17/doc-iicezzrq6316194.shtml |language=zh }}</ref> Since communications satellites works in the [[geostationary orbit]] much higher than what the existing carrier rockets could reach, the launching of communications satellites became the next big challenge for the Chinese space program.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

[[File:YF-73 1.jpg|thumb|alt=YF-73, the first cryogenic engine developed of China. Its development began in late 1970s.|[[YF-73]], the first cryogenic engine of China. Its development began in late 1970s.]]
[[File:Xichang launch center 4.jpg|thumb|alt=Xichang Satellite Launch Center|[[Xichang Satellite Launch Center]]]]
The task was assigned to [[Long March 3]] (CZ-3, {{Zh|s=长征三号|labels=no}}), the most advanced Chinese launch vehicle in the 1980s. Long March 3 was a derivative of Long March 2C with an additional third stage, designed to send payloads to [[geosynchronous transfer orbit]] (GTO). When the development of Long March 3 began in the early 1970s, the engineers had to make a choice between the two options for the third stage engine: either the traditional engine fueled by the same hypergolic fuels used by the first two stages, or the advanced cryogenic engine fueled by [[liquid hydrogen]] and [[liquid oxygen]]. Although the cryogenic engine plan was much more challenging than the other one, it was eventually chosen by Chief Designer [[Ren Xinmin]] ({{Zh|s=任新民|labels=no}}), who had foreseen the great potential of its use for the Chinese space program in the coming future. The development of cryogenic engine with in-flight re-ignition capability began in 1976 and wasn't completed until 1983.<ref name=cz3>{{cite web |title=长征家族走出"美男子" |url=http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1449297/n1449403/c1457244/content.html |website=[[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation]] |access-date=2022-10-14 |date=2016-10-07 |archive-date=2022-10-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016074928/http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1449297/n1449403/c1457244/content.html |language=zh }}</ref> At the same time, Xichang Satellite Launch Center ({{Zh|s=西昌卫星发射中心|labels=no}}) was chosen as the launch site of Long March 3 due to its low latitude, which provides better GTO launch capability.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

On January 29, 1984, Long March 3 performed its maiden flight from Xichang, carrying the first experimental DFH-2 satellite. Unfortunately, because of the cryogenic third-stage engine failed to re-ignite during flight, the satellite was placed into a 400&nbsp;km LEO instead of its intended GTO. Despite the rocket failure, the engineers managed to send the satellite into an [[elliptic orbit]] with an [[apoapsis]] of 6480&nbsp;km using the satellite's own propulsion system. A series of tests were then conducted to verify the performance the satellite.<ref name="minshiquan"/> Thanks to the hard work by the engineers, the cause of the cryogenic engine failure was located quickly, followed by improvements applied on the second rocket awaiting launch.<ref name=cz3/>

On April 8, 1984, less than 70 days after the first failure, Long March 3 launched again from Xichang. It successfully inserted the second experimental DFH-2 satellite into target GTO on its second attempt. The satellite reached the final orbit location on April 16 and was handed over to the user on May 14, becoming China's first geostationary communications satellite.<ref name=skj>{{cite web |title=我国首颗通信卫星东方红二号升空记 |url=http://www.ctmuseum.cn/yj/txkp/202204/t20220418_69240.html |website=中国电信博物馆 |access-date=2022-04-18 |date=2021-04-08 |archive-date=2022-10-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017041016/http://www.ctmuseum.cn/yj/txkp/202204/t20220418_69240.html |language=zh }}</ref> The success made China the fifth country in the world with independent geostationary satellite development and launch capability.<ref name=cz3/> Less than two years later, on February 1, 1986, the first practical DFH-2 communications satellite was launched into orbit atop a Long March 3 rocket, ending China's reliance on foreign communications satellite.<ref name=skj/>

During the 1980s, human spaceflights in the world became significantly more active than before as the American [[Space Shuttle]] and Soviet [[Salyut programme|space stations]] were put in service respectively. It was in the same period that the previously canceled Chinese human spaceflight program was quietly revived again. In March 1986, ''[[Project 863]]'' ({{Zh|s=863计划|labels=no}}) was proposed by four scientists [[Wang Daheng]], [[Wang Ganchang]], [[Yang Jiachi]], and [[Chen Fangyun]]. The goal of the project was to stimulate the development of advanced technologies, including human spaceflight. Followed by the approval of Project 863, the early study of Chinese human spaceflight program in the new era had begun.<ref name="code863">{{cite web |title=中国载人航天史上的四组神秘代号 都是什么含义？ |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/mil/2021-06/17/c_1211204408.htm |website=Xinhua Net |access-date=2021-07-10 |date=2021-06-17 |archive-date=2021-07-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710164821/http://www.xinhuanet.com/mil/2021-06/17/c_1211204408.htm |url-status=live | language=zh }}</ref>

===The rise and fall of commercial launches (1990s)===
[[File:CZ-2E rendering.jpg|thumb|180px|alt=Rendering of Long March 2E rocket|Rendering of Long March 2E rocket to launch Optus satellites]]
[[File:The Launch of Long March 3B Rocket.jpg|thumb|right|The launch of [[Long March 3B]] Rocket in 1997]]
After the initial success of Long March 3, further development of the [[Long March rocket]] series allowed China to announce a commercial launch program for international customers in 1985, which opened up a decade of commercial launches by Chinese launch vehicles in the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web |title=China Unveils Commercial Space Program |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-06-13-fi-10971-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=8 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508173410/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-06-13-fi-10971-story.html |archive-date=8 May 2023 |date=13 June 1985}}</ref> The launch service was provided by [[China Great Wall Industry Corporation]] (CGWIC) with support from CALT, SAST and China Satellite Launch and Tracking Control General (CLTC). The first contract was signed with [[AsiaSat]] in January 1989 to launch [[AsiaSat 1]], a communications satellite manufactured by [[Hughes Aircraft Company|Hughes]]. It was previously a satellite owned by [[Westar]] but placed into a wrong orbit due to kick motor malfunction before being recovered in the [[STS-51-A]] mission in 1984.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

On April 7, 1990, a Long March 3 rocket successfully launched AsiaSat 1 into target geosynchronous transfer orbit with high precision, fulfilling the contract. As its very first commercial launch ended in full success, the Chinese commercial launch program was introduced to the world with a good opening.<ref name=AsiaSat1>{{cite web |title=从亚洲一号走向世界 |url=http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1449297/n1449403/c1458958/content.html |website=[[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation]] |access-date=2022-10-14 |date=2016-10-08 |archive-date=2022-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018070614/http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1449297/n1449403/c1458958/content.html |language=zh }}</ref>

Although Long March 3 completed its first commercial mission as expected, its 1,500&nbsp;kg payload capability was not capable of placing the new generation of communication satellites, which were usually over 2,500&nbsp;kg, into geostationary transfer orbit. To deal with the problem, China introduced [[Long March 2E]] (CZ-2E, {{Zh|s=长征二号E|labels=no}}), the first Chinese rocket with strap-on boosters that can place up to 3,000&nbsp;kg payload into GTO. The development of Long March 2E began in November 1988 when CGWIC was awarded the contract of launching two [[Optus (satellite)|Optus satellites]] by Hughes mostly due to its low price. At that time, neither the rocket nor the launch facility was anything more than concepts on paper. Yet the engineers of CALT eventually built all the hardware from scratch in a record-breaking period of 18 months, which impressed the American experts.<ref name=18month>{{cite web |title=18个月写就研制传奇 |url=http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1449297/n1449403/c1458876/content.html |website=[[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation]] |access-date=2022-10-14 |date=2016-10-08 |archive-date=2022-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018070610/http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1449297/n1449403/c1458876/content.html |language=zh }}</ref> On September 16, 1990, Long March 2E, carrying an Optus mass simulator, conducted its test flight and reached intended orbit as designed. The success of the test flight was a huge inspiration for all parties involved and brought optimism about the coming launch of actual Optus satellites.<ref name=c2e>{{cite web |title="长二捆"火箭是专门为国际商业发射任务研制的火箭 |url=http://www.calt.com/n485/n841/n843/c5441/content.html |website=[[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology]] |access-date=2022-10-17 |date=2016-05-14 |archive-date=2021-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511211925/http://www.calt.com/n485/n841/n843/c5441/content.html |language=zh }}</ref>

However, an accident occurred during this highly anticipated launch on March 22, 1992, at Xichang Satellite Launch Center. After initial ignition, all engines shut down unexpectedly. The rocket was unable to lift off, resulting in a launch abort while being live-streamed to the world.<ref>{{cite web |title=1992年8月14日，长征二号E火箭成功为澳大利亚发"澳星-B1"，再度撞开世界大门 |url=http://www.calt.com/n485/n841/n842/c5435/content.html |website=[[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology]] |access-date=9 May 2023 |language=zh |date=18 May 2016}}</ref> The post-launch investigation revealed that some minor aluminum scraps caused a shortage in the control circuit, triggering an emergency shutdown of all engines. Although the huge vibration brought by the short-lived ignition had led to a rotation of the whole rocket by 1.5 degree clockwise and partial displacement of the supporting blocks, the rocket filled with propellant was still standing on the launch pad when the dust settled. After a rescue mission that lasted for 39 hours, the payload, rocket, and launch facilities were all preserved intact, avoiding huge losses. Less than five months later, on August 14, a new Long March 2E rocket successfully lifted off from Xichang, sending the Optus satellite into orbit.<ref>{{cite web |title=长二捆火箭与发射"澳星" |url=http://www.calt.com/n485/n841/n843/c6427/content.html |website=[[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology]] |access-date=2022-10-17 |date=2016-08-26 |archive-date=2022-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018070613/http://www.calt.com/n485/n841/n843/c6427/content.html |language=zh }}</ref>

In June 1993, the [[China Aerospace Corporation]] was founded in Beijing. It was also granted the title of [[China National Space Administration]] (CNSA).<ref name="CASC-history">{{cite web|title=History |url=http://english.spacechina.com/n16421/n17138/n382513/index.html|publisher=China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation|access-date=2021-05-21 |archive-date=2021-04-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409092347/http://english.spacechina.com/n16421/n17138/n382513/index.html}}</ref> A improved version of Long March 3, namely [[Long March 3A]] (CZ-3A, {{Zh|s=长征三号甲|labels=no}}) with 2,600&nbsp;kg payload capacity to GTO, was put into service in 1994. However, on February 15, 1996, during the first flight of the further improved [[Long March 3B]] (CZ-3B, {{Zh|s=长征三号乙|labels=no}}) rocket carrying [[Intelsat 708]], the rocket veered off course immediately after clearing the launch platform, crashing 22 seconds later. The crash killed 6 people and injured 57, making it the most disastrous event in the history of Chinese space program.<ref>{{cite web |title=1996年2月15日，长征三号乙火箭首飞，发射国际卫星组织"国际708卫星"失利 |url=http://calt.spacechina.com/n485/n841/n842/c5427/content.html |website=[[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology]] |access-date=2022-10-18 |date=2016-05-27 |archive-date=2022-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018070621/http://calt.spacechina.com/n485/n841/n842/c5427/content.html |language=zh }}</ref><ref name="zhiliangri">{{cite web |author1=高一鸣 |title=质量日忆改革：归零，在挫折后开启 |url=https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MjM5Njc4ODY1MQ==&mid=2651918179&idx=2&sn=87138049eb3df550e439e978d6d60cbf&chksm=bd064fa78a71c6b1e4a4c146effb5c979f4515cb52dbfb16e14cc50d3804b92fccf0b05f2b48&scene=0&xt |website=中国航天科技集团微信公众号 |access-date=2022-10-18 |date=2019-09-20 |archive-date=2022-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018091929/https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MjM5Njc4ODY1MQ==&mid=2651918179&idx=2&sn=87138049eb3df550e439e978d6d60cbf&chksm=bd064fa78a71c6b1e4a4c146effb5c979f4515cb52dbfb16e14cc50d3804b92fccf0b05f2b48&scene=0&xt |language=zh }}</ref> Although the Long March 3 rocket successfully launched APStar 1A communication satellites on July 3, it came across a third stage re-ignition malfunction during the launch of ChinaSat 7 on August 18, resulting in another launch failure.<ref>{{cite web |title=1996年7月3日，长征三号火箭成功发射香港亚太通信卫星公司的"亚太IA通信卫星" |url=http://calt.spacechina.com/n485/n841/n842/c5639/content.html |website=[[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology]] |access-date=2022-10-18 |date=2016-05-28 |archive-date=2022-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018070615/http://calt.spacechina.com/n485/n841/n842/c5639/content.html |language=zh }}</ref><ref name =zx7>{{cite web |title=1996年8月18日，长征三号火箭发射"中星七号通信卫星"失利 |url=http://calt.spacechina.com/n485/n841/n842/c5640/content.html |website=[[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology]] |access-date=2022-10-18 |date=2016-05-28 |archive-date=2022-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018070615/http://calt.spacechina.com/n485/n841/n842/c5640/content.html |language=zh }}</ref>

The two launch failures within a few months dealt a severe blow to the reputation of the Long March rockets. As a consequence, the Chinese commercial launch service was facing canceled orders, refusal of insurance, or greatly increased insurance premium.<ref name =zx7/> Under such a harsh circumstance, the Chinese space industry initiated full-scale quality improving activities. A closed-loop quality management system was established to fix quality issues in both the technical and administrative aspects.<ref name="zhiliangri"/><ref>{{cite web |title=挫折中走出质量升级路 |url=http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1449297/n1449403/c1459659/content.html |website=[[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation]] |access-date=2022-10-14 |date=2016-10-09 |archive-date=2022-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018070608/http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1449297/n1449403/c1459659/content.html |language=zh }}</ref> The strict quality management system remarkably increased the success rate ever since. Within the next 15 years, from October 20, 1996, up until August 16, 2011, China had achieved 102 consecutive successful space launches.<ref>{{cite web |title=Launch Record |url=http://www.cgwic.com/Launchservice/LaunchRecord.html |website=CGWIC |access-date=9 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404063358/http://www.cgwic.com/Launchservice/LaunchRecord.html |archive-date=4 April 2023 |date=25 July 2022}}</ref> On August 20, 1997, Long March 3B accomplished its first successful flight on its second attempt, placing the 3,770&nbsp;kg [[Agila-2]] communications satellite into orbit. It offered a GTO payload capacity as high as 5,000&nbsp;kg capable of putting different kinds of heavy satellites available on the international market into orbit.<ref>{{cite web |title=1997年8月20日 长三乙火箭成功为菲律宾发射马部海通信卫星 中国从此具备5吨高轨道发射能力 |url=http://calt.spacechina.com/n485/n841/n842/c5674/content.html |website=[[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology]] |access-date=2022-10-18 |date=2016-06-14 |archive-date=2022-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018070616/http://calt.spacechina.com/n485/n841/n842/c5674/content.html |language=zh }}</ref> Ever since then, Long March 3B had become the backbone of China's mid to [[high Earth orbit]] launches and been granted the title of most powerful rocket by China for nearly 20 years. In 1998, the administrative branch of China Aerospace Corporation was split and then merged into the newly founded [[Commission for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense]] while retaining the title of CNSA. The remaining part was split again into [[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation]] (CASC) and [[China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation]] (CASIC) in 1999.<ref name="CASC-history"/>

While the Long March rockets were trying to take back the commercial launch market it lost, the political suppression from the United States approached. In 1998, the United States accused Hughes and [[Loral Space & Communications|Loral]] of exporting technologies that inadvertently helped China's ballistic missile program while resolving issues that caused the Long March rocket launch failures. The accusation ultimately led to the release of [[Cox Report]], which further accused China of stealing sensitive technologies. In the next year, the U.S. Congress passed the act that put commercial satellites into the list restricted by [[International Traffic in Arms Regulations]] (ITAR) and prohibited launches of satellites containing U.S. made components onboard Chinese rockets.<ref name="shangyefashe">{{cite web |title=中国火箭商业发射之路 |url=http://www.calt.com/n485/n841/n843/c6118/content.html |website=[[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology]] |access-date=2022-10-18 |date=2016-07-29 |archive-date=2022-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018070615/http://www.calt.com/n485/n841/n843/c6118/content.html |language=zh }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hoffner |first1=John |title=The Myth of "ITAR-Free" |url=https://aerospace.csis.org/itar-satellite-regulation/ |website=Aerospace Security |access-date=9 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421045424/https://aerospace.csis.org/itar-satellite-regulation/ |archive-date=21 April 2023 |date=15 May 2020}}</ref> The regulation abruptly killed the commercial cooperation between China and the United States. The two [[Iridium satellite constellation|Iridum satellites]] launched by Long March 2C on June 12, 1999, became the last batch of American satellites launched by Chinese rocket.<ref>{{cite web |title=1999年6月12日，长征二号丙改进型火箭发射铱星双星成功 铱星合同全部完成 |url=http://calt.spacechina.com/n485/n841/n842/c5783/content.html |website=[[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology]] |access-date=2022-10-18 |date=2016-06-28 |archive-date=2022-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018070613/http://calt.spacechina.com/n485/n841/n842/c5783/content.html |language=zh }}</ref> Furthermore, due to the strict regulation applied and the U.S. dominance in space industry, the Long March rockets had been de facto excluded from the international commercial launch market, causing a stagnation of the Chinese commercial launch program in the next few years.<ref name="shangyefashe"/>

[[File:Shenzhou-1 return capsule at CSTM 01.jpg|thumb|alt=Return capsule of Shenzhou 1|Return capsule of [[Shenzhou 1]]]]
Despite the turmoil of commercial launches, the Chinese space program still made a huge breakthrough near the end of the decade. At 6:30 ([[China Standard Time]]) on November 20, 1999, [[Shenzhou 1|''Shenzhou-1'']] ({{Zh|s=神舟一号|labels=no}}), the first uncrewed [[Shenzhou spacecraft]] ({{Zh|s=神舟载人飞船|labels=no}}) designed for human spaceflight, was successfully launched atop a [[Long March 2F]] (CZ-2F, {{Zh|s=长征二号F|labels=no}}) rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The spacecraft was inserted into low earth orbit 10 minutes after lift off. After orbiting the Earth for 14 rounds, the spacecraft initiated the return procedure as planned and landed safely in Inner Mongolia at 03:41 on November 21, marking the full success of China's first Shenzhou test flight. Following the announcement of the success of the mission, the previously secretive Chinese human spaceflight program, namely the [[China Manned Space Program]] (CMS,  {{Zh|s=中国载人航天工程|labels=no}}), was formally made public. CMS, which was formally approved on September 21, 1992, by the [[Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party|CCP Politburo Standing Committee]] as Project 921, has been the most ambitious space program of China since its birth.<ref name="CMSP">{{cite web |title=Management_CHINA MANNED SPACE |url=http://en.cmse.gov.cn/management/Management/ |website=Official Website of China Manned Space |access-date=23 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711063525/http://en.cmse.gov.cn/management/Management/ |archive-date=11 July 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Its goals can be described as "Three Steps": Crewed spacecraft launch and return; Space laboratory for short-term missions; Long-term modular space station.<ref name="CSShandbook">{{cite web |title=Handbook on China Space Station |url=https://www.unoosa.org/documents/doc/psa/hsti/CSS_1stAO/CSS_1stAO_Handbook_2018.pdf |access-date=23 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428225535/https://www.unoosa.org/documents/doc/psa/hsti/CSS_1stAO/CSS_1stAO_Handbook_2018.pdf |archive-date=28 April 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Due to its complex nature, a series of advanced projects were introduced by the program, including [[Shenzhou spacecraft]], [[Long March 2F]] rocket, human spaceflight launch site in [[Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center|Jiuquan]], [[Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center]], and Astronaut Center of China in Beijing. In terms of astronauts, fourteen candidates were selected to form the [[People's Liberation Army Astronaut Corps]] and started accepting spaceflight training.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

===Breakthroughs by Shenzhou and Chang'e (2000s)===
Since the beginning of 21st century, China has been experiencing rapid economic growth, which led to higher investment into space programs and multiple major achievements in the following decades. In November 2000, the Chinese government released its first white paper entitled ''China's Space Activities'', which described its goals in the next decade as:<ref>{{cite web |title=China's Space Activities |url=http://www.china.org.cn/english/2000/Nov/4288.htm |website=China.org.cn |publisher=The State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China |access-date=27 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040417152652/http://www.china.org.cn/english/2000/Nov/4288.htm |archive-date=17 April 2004 |date=22 November 2000}}</ref>
* To build up an earth observation system for long-term stable operation.
* To set up an independently operated satellite broadcasting and telecommunications system.
* To establish an independent satellite navigation and positioning system.
* To upgrade the overall level and capacity of China's launch vehicles.
* To realize manned spaceflight and establish an initially complete R&D and testing system for manned space projects.
* To establish a coordinated and complete national satellite remote-sensing application system.
* To develop space science and explore outer space.

[[File:Beidou-coverage.png|thumb|160px|Coverage of [[BeiDou#BeiDou-1|BeiDou-1]] service in early 2000s]]
The independent [[Satellite navigation|satellite navigation and positioning system]] mentioned by the white paper was ''[[Beidou]]'' ({{Zh|s=北斗卫星导航系统|labels=no}}). The development of Beidou dates back to 1983 when academician of the [[Chinese Academy of Sciences]] Chen Fangyun designed a primitive satellite navigation systems consisting of two satellites in the geostationary orbit. Sun Jiadong, the famous satellite expert of China, later proposed a "three-step" strategy to develop China's own satellite navigation system, whose service coverage expands from China to Asia then the globe. The two satellites of the "first step", namely BeiDou-1, were launched in October and December 2000.<ref name="beidou3steps">{{cite web |author1=央视新闻 |title=数"说北斗丨从起步到全球组网 北斗建设的"三步走" |url=http://www.beidou.gov.cn/yw/xwzx/202006/t20200615_20649.html |website=北斗卫星导航系统 |access-date=2022-10-19 |date=2020-06-15 |archive-date=2022-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312125848/http://www.beidou.gov.cn/yw/xwzx/202006/t20200615_20649.html |language=zh }}</ref> As an experimental system, Beidou-1 offered basic positioning, navigation and timing services to limited areas in and around China.<ref name="BeidouSystem">{{cite web |title=System |url=http://en.beidou.gov.cn/SYSTEMS/System/ |website=BeiDou Navigation Satellite System |access-date=27 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522040542/http://en.beidou.gov.cn/SYSTEMS/System/ |archive-date=22 May 2023}}</ref> After a few years of experiment, China started the construction of [[BeiDou#BeiDou-2|BeiDou-2]], a more advanced system to serve the [[Asia-Pacific]] region by launching the first two satellites in 2007 and 2009 respectively.<ref name="beidou20y">{{cite web |title=20年磨一剑——北斗导航系统的发展历程 |url=https://www.cdstm.cn/frontier/hthk/202103/t20210330_1045094.html |website=中国数字科技馆 |access-date=2022-10-19 |date=2021-03-30 |archive-date=2022-10-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022181318/https://www.cdstm.cn/frontier/hthk/202103/t20210330_1045094.html |language=zh }}</ref>

[[File:Yang Liwei.jpg|thumb|left|160px|The first Chinese astronaut [[Yang Liwei]]]]
[[File:Shenzhou-5 return capsule and space suit at NMC 02.jpg|thumb|alt=Return capsule and space suit used by Yang Liwei in Shenzhou 5 mission|Return capsule and space suit used by Yang Liwei in [[Shenzhou 5]] mission]]
Another major goal specified by the white paper was to realize crewed spaceflight. The China Manned Space Program continued its steady evolvement in the 21st century after its initial success. From January 2001 to January 2003, China conducted three uncrewed Shenzhou spacecraft test flights, validating all systems required by human spaceflight. Among these missions, the [[Shenzhou 4|Shenzhou-4]] launched on December 30, 2002, was the last uncrewed rehearsal of Shenzhou. It flew for 6 days and 18 hours and orbited around the Earth for 108 circles before returning on January 5, 2003.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shenzhou IV |url=http://en.cmse.gov.cn/missions/shenzhouiv/ |website=China Manned Space |access-date=28 May 2023}}</ref>

On October 15, 2003, the first Chinese astronaut Yang Liwei ({{Zh|s=杨利伟|labels=no}}) was launched aboard Shenzhou-5 ({{Zh|s=神舟五号|labels=no}}) spacecraft atop a Long March 2F rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The spacecraft was inserted into orbit ten minutes after launch, making Yang the first Chinese in space. After a flight of more than 21 hours and 14 orbits around the Earth, the spacecraft returned and landed safely in Inner Mongolia in the next morning, followed by Yang's walking out of the return capsule by himself.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shenzhou V |url=http://en.cmse.gov.cn/missions/shenzhouv/ |website=China Manned Space |access-date=28 May 2023}}</ref> The complete success of Shenzhou 5 mission was widely celebrated in China and received worldwide endorsements from different people and parties, including [[UN Secretary General]] [[Kofi Annan]].<ref>{{cite web |title=China Successfully Completes First Manned Space Flight |url=https://www.spacedaily.com/news/china-03zo.html |website=Space Daily |access-date=28 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226063438/https://www.spacedaily.com/news/china-03zo.html |archive-date=26 December 2022 |date=16 October 2003}}</ref> The mission, officially recognized by China as the second milestone of its space program after the launch of Dongfanghong-1, marked China's standing as the third country capable of completing independent [[human spaceflight]], ending the over 40-year long duopoly by the Soviet Union/Russia and the United States.<ref name="milestones">{{cite web |title=航天科技集团五院成功发射第400星的背后 |url=http://spacechina.com/n25/n2014789/n2014809/c3768063/content.html |website=[[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation]] |publisher=中国航天报 |access-date=28 May 2023 |language=zh |date=22 March 2023}}</ref>

[[File:Shenzhou 7 EVA (1).png|thumb|alt=First spacewalk by Chinese astronaut in 2008|First [[spacewalk]] by Chinese astronaut in 2008]]
The China Manned Space Program did not stop its footsteps after its historic first crewed spaceflight. In 2005, two Chinese astronauts, [[Fei Junlong]] ({{Zh|s=费俊龙|labels=no}}) and [[Nie Haisheng]] ({{Zh|s=聂海胜|labels=no}}), safely completed China's first "multi-person and multi-day" spaceflight mission aboard [[Shenzhou-6]] ({{Zh|s=神舟六号|labels=no}}) between October 12 and 17.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shenzhou VI |url=http://en.cmse.gov.cn/missions/shenzhouvi/ |website=China Manned Space |access-date=25 July 2021}}</ref> On 25 September 2008, [[Shenzhou-7]] ({{Zh|s=神舟七号|labels=no}}) was launched into space with three astronauts, [[Zhai Zhigang]] ({{Zh|s=翟志刚|labels=no}}), [[Liu Boming (astronaut)|Liu Boming]] ({{Zh|s=刘伯明|labels=no}}) and [[Jing Haipeng]] ({{Zh|s=景海鹏|labels=no}}). During the flight, Zhai and Liu conducted China's first spacewalk in orbit.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shenzhou VII |url=http://en.cmse.gov.cn/missions/shenzhouvii/ |website=China Manned Space |access-date=25 July 2021}}</ref>

[[File:Moon map at NMC.jpg|thumb|alt=Moon map imaged by Chang'e 1|Moon map imaged by [[Chang'e-1]]]]
Around the same time, China began preparation for extraterrestrial exploration, starting with the Moon. The early research of Moon exploration of China dates back to 1994 when its necessity and feasibility were studied and discussed among Chinese scientists.<ref name="oyzy">{{cite web |author1=贺迎春 |author2=方经纶 |author3=张桂贵 |title=欧阳自远：把地质做到太阳系天体上去 |url=https://www.cas.cn/xzfc/202110/t20211025_4810959.shtml |website=中国科学院 |access-date=2022-10-22 |date=2021-10-25 |archive-date=2022-10-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022181314/https://www.cas.cn/xzfc/202110/t20211025_4810959.shtml |language=zh }}</ref> As a result, the white paper of 2000 enlisted the Moon as the primary target of China's deep space exploration within the decade. In January 2004, the year after China's first human spaceflight mission, the Chinese Moon orbiting program was formally approved and was later transformed into [[Chinese Lunar Exploration Program]] (CLEP,  {{Zh|s=中国探月工程|labels=no}}). Just like several other space programs of China, CLEP was divided into three phases, which were simplified as "Orbiting, Landing, Returning"  ({{Zh|s=“绕、落、回”|labels=no}}), all to be executed by robotic probes at the time of planning.<ref>{{cite web|title=工程简介|url=http://www.clep.org.cn/n487137/index.html|publisher=中国探月与深空探测网|access-date=20 May 2021|language=zh}}</ref>

On October 24, 2007, the first lunar orbiter [[Chang'e 1|''Chang'e-1'']] ({{Zh|s=嫦娥一号|labels=no}}) was successfully launched by a Long March 3A rocket, and was inserted into Moon orbit on November 7, becoming China's first artificial satellite of the Moon. It then performed a series of surveys and produced China's first lunar map. On March 1, 2009, Chang'e-1, which had been operating longer than its designed life span, performed a controlled hard landing on lunar surface, concluding the Chang'e-1 mission.<ref>{{cite web |title=迈出深空探测第一步 |url=http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1449297/n1449403/c1460360/content.html |website=[[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation]] |access-date=2022-10-14 |date=2016-10-07 |language=zh }}</ref> Being China's first deep space exploration mission, Chang'e-1 was recognized by China as the third milestone of the Chinese space program and the admission ticket to the world club of deep space explorations.<ref name="milestones"/>

In others areas, despite the harsh sanction imposed by the United States since 1999, China still made some progress in terms of commercial launches within the first decade of the 21st century. In April 2005, China successfully conducted its first commercial launch since 1999 by launching the APStar 6 communications satellite manufactured by French company [[Alcatel-Lucent|Alcatel]] atop a Long March 3B rocket.<ref>{{cite web |title=2005年4月12日，长征三号乙运载火箭成功发射"亚太六号"卫星 |url=http://www.calt.com/n485/n841/n842/c6243/content.html |website=[[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology]] |access-date=2022-10-22 |date=2016-08-12 |archive-date=2022-10-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022181324/http://www.calt.com/n485/n841/n842/c6243/content.html |language=zh }}</ref> In May 2007, China launched [[NigComSat-1]] satellite developed by [[China Academy of Space Technology]]. This was the first time China provided the full service from satellite manufacture to launch for international customers.<ref>{{cite web |title="双脚"迈进国际宇航市场 |url=http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1449297/n1449403/c1460338/content.html |website=[[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation]] |access-date=2022-10-22 |date=2016-10-09 |archive-date=2022-10-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022181306/http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1449297/n1449403/c1460338/content.html |language=zh }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=驻尼日利亚经商参处 |title=尼日利亚媒体关于尼发射通讯卫星的有关报道 |url=http://nigeria.mofcom.gov.cn/article/slfw/200705/20070504707894.shtml |website=[[Ministry of Commerce (China)]] |access-date=2022-10-22 |date=2007-05-25 |archive-date=2022-10-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022181306/http://nigeria.mofcom.gov.cn/article/slfw/200705/20070504707894.shtml |language=zh }}</ref>
{{clear}}

===Expansion and revolution (2010s)===

[[File:Gaofen images of Xichang forest fire.jpg|thumb|alt=Images taken by Gaofen satellites|Images taken by [[Gaofen]] satellites]]
From 2000 to 2010, China had quadrupled its [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] and became the second largest economy in the world.<ref>{{cite web |title=GDP破百万亿元的中国答卷 |url=http://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2021-01/19/content_5580906.htm |website=中华人民共和国中央人民政府 |access-date=2022-10-23 |date=2021-01-19 |archive-date=2022-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024235658/http://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2021-01/19/content_5580906.htm |language=zh }}</ref> Due to the rapid development of economy activities across the nation, the demand for high-resolution Earth observation systems increased in a remarkable manner. To end the reliance on foreign high-resolution remote sensing data, China initiated the China High-resolution Earth Observation System program ({{Zh|s=高分辨率对地观测系统|labels=no}}), most commonly known as ''[[Gaofen]]'' ({{Zh|s=高分|labels=no}}), in May 2010. Its purpose is to establish an all-day, all-weather coverage Earth observation system for satisfying the requirements of social development as part of the Chinese space infrastructures.<ref name="Gaofen">{{Cite journal |last1=Chen |first1=Liangfu |last2=Letu |first2=Husi |last3=Fan |first3=Meng |last4=Shang |first4=Huazhe |last5=Tao |first5=Jinhua |last6=Wu |first6=Laixiong |last7=Zhang |first7=Ying |last8=Yu |first8=Chao |last9=Gu |first9=Jianbin |last10=Zhang |first10=Ning |last11=Hong |first11=Jin |date=2022-04-08 |title=An Introduction to the Chinese High-Resolution Earth Observation System: Gaofen-1~7 Civilian Satellites |journal=Journal of Remote Sensing |language=en |volume=2022 |pages=1–14 |doi=10.34133/2022/9769536|bibcode=2022JRemS202269536C |s2cid=247446513 |doi-access=free }}</ref> The first Gaofen satellite, [[Gaofen 1]], was launched into orbit on April 26, 2013, followed by more satellites being launched into different orbits in the next few years to cover different spectra. As of today, more than 30 Gaofen satellites are being operated by China as the completion of the space-based section of Gaofen was announced in late 2022.<ref>{{cite web |author1=胡喆 |author2=宋晨 |title=高分五号01A卫星升空 高分专项工程空间段建设任务全面完成 |url=http://www.news.cn/2022-12/09/c_1129196088.htm |website=Xinhua Net |access-date=29 May 2023 |language=zh |date=9 December 2022}}</ref>

The Beidou Navigation Satellite System proceeded in extraordinary speed after the launch of first Beidou-2 satellite in 2007. As many as five Beidou-2 navigation satellites were launched in 2010 alone. In late 2012, the Beidou-2 navigation system consisting of 14 satellites was completed and started providing service to Asia-Pacific region.<ref name="beidou20y"/> The construction of more advanced Beidou-3 started since November 2017. Its buildup speed was even more astonishing than before as China launched 24 satellites into [[medium Earth orbit]], 3 into [[inclined geosynchronous orbit]], and 3 into [[geostationary orbit]] within just three years.<ref name=beidou>{{cite web |author1=李国利 |author2=胡喆 |author3=张汨汨 |title=中国北斗 服务全球——写在我国完成北斗全球卫星导航系统星座部署之际 |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2020-06/23/c_1126150066.htm |website=新华网 |access-date=2022-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626002018/http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2020-06/23/c_1126150066.htm |archive-date=2020-06-26 |date=2020-06-23 |language=zh }}</ref> The final satellite of Beidou-3 was successfully launched by a [[Long March 3B]] rocket on June 23, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |url=https://spacenews.com/china-launches-final-satellite-to-complete-beidou-system-booster-falls-downrange/ |title=China launches final satellite to complete Beidou system, booster falls downrange |work=[[SpaceNews]] |date=June 23, 2021 |access-date=21 May 2021}}</ref> On July 31, 2020, [[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party|CCP general secretary]] [[Xi Jinping]] made the announcement on the Beidou-3 completion ceremony,<ref>{{Cite news|title=总书记亲自宣布的这个消息非同寻常|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2020-08/01/c_1126311846.htm|website=新华社 ([[Xinhua News Agency]])|date=2020-08-01|language=zh-cn|quote=习近平总书记宣布了一个振奋人心的消息：“北斗三号全球卫星导航系统正式开通！”}}</ref> declaring the commission of Beidou-3 system across the globe.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lei |first1=Zhao |title=Xi declares start of Beidou's full-scale global service |url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202007/31/WS5f2386c4a31083481725d61c.html |website=China Daily |access-date=29 May 2023 |date=31 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.china.org.cn/china/2020-08/01/content_76335925.htm |title=Xi officially announces commissioning of BDS-3 navigation system | date=2021-08-01 |access-date=21 May 2021}}</ref> The completed Beidou-3 navigation system integrates navigation and communication function, and possesses multiple service capabilities, including positioning, navigation and timing, short message communication, international search and rescue, satellite-based augmentation, ground augmentation and precise point positioning.<ref name="BeidouSystem"/> It is now one of the four core system providers designated by the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems of the [[United Nations]].<ref>{{cite web|title=International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG): Members|url=https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/icg/members.html|access-date=2021-12-12|language=en|archive-date=2022-03-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322014419/https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/icg/members.html}}</ref>

[[File:LIU Yang CUHK 2012.JPG|thumb|left|160px|alt=Liu Yang became the first Chinese woman in space in 2012.|[[Liu Yang (astronaut)|Liu Yang]] became the first Chinese woman in space in 2012.]]
[[File:CMS docking device at NMC.jpg|thumb|alt=Docking device used by Chinese spacecrafts|[[Docking and berthing of spacecraft|Docking device]] used by Chinese spacecraft]]
The China Manned Space Program continued to make breakthroughs in human spaceflight technologies in 2010s. In the early 2000s, the Chinese crewed space program continued to engage with Russia in technological exchanges regarding the development of a docking mechanism used for space stations.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://russian.news.cn/dossiers/2011-11/03/c_131228371.htm|title=All components of the docking mechanism was designed and manufactured in-house China|date=3 November 2011|agency=Xinhua News Agency|access-date=1 February 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426010439/http://russian.news.cn/dossiers/2011-11/03/c_131228371.htm|archive-date=26 April 2012}}</ref> Deputy Chief Designer, Huang Weifen, stated that near the end of 2009, the [[China Manned Space Agency]] began to train astronauts on how to dock spacecraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.qq.com/a/20111104/000142.htm|title=China next year manual spacecraft Temple docking, multiply group has completed primary|date=4 November 2011|newspaper=Beijing News|access-date=19 February 2012}}</ref> In order to practice space rendezvous and docking, China launched an {{cvt|8000|kg|lb}} target vehicle, [[Tiangong 1|''Tiangong-1'']] ({{Zh|s=天宫一号|labels=no}}), in 2011,<ref>{{cite web |title=Tiangong I |url=http://en.cmse.gov.cn/missions/tiangong/ |website=China Manned Space |access-date=25 July 2021 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> followed by the uncrewed [[Shenzhou 8]] ({{Zh|s=神舟八号|labels=no}}). The two spacecraft performed China's first automatic rendezvous and docking on 3 November 2011, which verified the performance of docking procedures and mechanisms.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shenzhou VIII |url=http://en.cmse.gov.cn/missions/shenzhouviii/ |website=China Manned Space |access-date=25 July 2021}}</ref> About 9 months later, in June 2012, Tiangong 1 completed the first manual rendezvous and docking with [[Shenzhou 9]] ({{Zh|s=神舟九号|labels=no}}), a crewed spacecraft carrying Jing Haipeng, [[Liu Wang]] ({{Zh|s=刘旺|labels=no}}) and China's first female astronaut [[Liu Yang (astronaut)|Liu Yang]] ({{Zh|s=刘洋|labels=no}}).<ref>{{cite web |title=Shenzhou IX |url=http://en.cmse.gov.cn/missions/shenzhouix/ |website=China Manned Space |access-date=25 July 2021}}</ref> The successes of Shenzhou 8 and 9 missions, especially the automatic and manual docking experiments, marked China's advancement in space rendezvous and docking. Tiangong 1 was later docked with crewed spacecraft [[Shenzhou 10]] ({{Zh|s=神舟十号|labels=no}}) carrying astronauts Nie Haisheng, [[Zhang Xiaoguang]] ({{Zh|s=张晓光|labels=no}}) and [[Wang Yaping]] ({{Zh|s=王亚平|labels=no}}), who conducted multiple scientific experiments, gave lectures to over 60 million students in China, and performed more docking tests before returning to the Earth safely after 15 days in space.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shenzhou X |url=http://en.cmse.gov.cn/missions/shenzhoux/ |website=China Manned Space |access-date=25 July 2021}}</ref> The completion of missions from Shenzhou 7 to 10 demonstrated China's mastery of all basic human spaceflight technologies, ending phase 1 of "Second Step".<ref>{{cite web |title=神十任务第二场新闻发布会答记者问实录 |url=http://www.cmse.gov.cn/fxrw/tgyhyszsh/xwfbh_631/201306/t20130626_23007.html |website=中国载人航天工程官方网站 |access-date=2021-07-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712090825/http://www.cmse.gov.cn/fxrw/tgyhyszsh/xwfbh_631/201306/t20130626_23007.html |archive-date=2021-07-12 |date=2013-06-26 |url-status=live |language=zh }}</ref>

[[File:Tianzhou-1 and Tiangong-2 rendering.jpg|thumb|alt=Rendering of Tianzhou-1 docked with Tiangong-2|Rendering of [[Tianzhou-1]] cargo spacecraft docked with [[Tiangong-2]] space laboratory]]
Although Tiangong 1 was considered as a space station prototype, its functionality was still remarkably weaker than decent space laboratories. [[Tiangong 2|''Tiangong-2'']] ({{Zh|s=天宫二号|labels=no}}), the first real space laboratory of China, was launched into orbit on September 15, 2016. It was visited by [[Shenzhou 11]] crew a month later. Two astronauts, Jing Haipeng and [[Chen Dong (astronaut)|Chen Dong]] ({{Zh|s=陈冬|labels=no}}) entered Tiangong 2 and were stationed for about 30 days, breaking China's record for the longest human spaceflight mission while carrying out different types of human-attended experiments. In April 2017, China's first cargo spacecraft, [[Tianzhou 1|''Tianzhou-1'']] ({{Zh|s=天舟一号|labels=no}}), docked with Tiangong 2 and completed multiple in-orbit propellant refueling tests.<ref name="spacelab">{{cite web |title=Space Laboratory Missions |url=http://en.cmse.gov.cn/missions/space_laboratory_missions/ |website=China Manned Space |access-date=25 July 2021}}</ref>

[[File:Yutu rover.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Yutu rover mockup|''[[Yutu rover|Yutu]]'', the first Chinese lunar rover landed on an extraterrestrial body during the [[Chang'e-3]] mission]]
[[File:Asteroid 4179 Toutatis close-up.jpg|thumb|160px|alt=Photo of 4179 Toutatis taken by Chang'e 2 probe during a flyby|Photo of [[4179 Toutatis]] taken by [[Chang'e 2]] during a flyby]]
In terms of deep space explorations, after completing the objective of "Orbiting" in 2007, the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program started preparing for the "Landing" phase. China's second lunar probe, [[Chang'e 2|''Chang'e-2'']] ({{Zh|s=嫦娥二号|labels=no}}), was launched on October 1, 2010. It used [[trans-lunar injection]] orbit to reach the Moon for the first time and imaged the [[Sinus Iridum]] region where future landing missions were expected to occur.<ref>{{cite web |title=聆听"嫦娥"故事，领悟探月精神：嫦娥二号——"替补"变身"先锋" |url=http://www.clep.org.cn/n5982341/c6808072/content.html |website=中国探月与深空探测网 |access-date=2022-10-23 |date=2019-11-13|language=zh}}</ref> On December 2, 2013, a Long March 3B rocket launched [[Chang'e 3|''Chang'e-3'']] ({{Zh|s=嫦娥三号|labels=no}}), China's first lunar lander, to the Moon. On December 14, Chang'e 3 successfully landed on the Sinus Iridum region, making China the third country that made soft-landing on an extraterrestrial body. A day later, the [[Yutu rover|''Yutu'' rover]] ({{Zh|s=玉兔号月球车|labels=no}}) was deployed to the lunar surface and started its survey, achieving the goal of "landing and roving" for the second phase of CLEP.<ref>{{cite web |title=嫦娥落月"梦成真 |url=http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1449297/n1449403/c1460522/content.html |website=[[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation]] |access-date=2022-10-22 |date=2016-10-09 |archive-date=2022-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024074659/http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1449297/n1449403/c1460522/content.html |language=zh }}</ref>

In addition to lunar exploration, it is worth noting that China made its first attempt of interplanetary exploration during the same period. ''[[Yinghuo-1]]'' ({{Zh|s=萤火一号|labels=no}}), China's first Mars orbiter, was launched on board the Russian [[Fobos-Grunt]] spacecraft as an additional payload in November 2011. Yinghuo-1 was a mission in cooperation with [[Russian Space Agency]]. It was a relatively small project initiated by National Space Science Center of Chinese Academy of Sciences instead of a major space program managed by the state space agency. The Yinghuo-1 orbiter weighed about 100&nbsp;kg and was carried by the Fobos-Grunt probe. It was expected to detach from the Fobos-Grunt probe and injected into Mars orbit after reaching Mars.<ref name=YH1>{{cite web |author1=Wu Ji |title="萤火一号"：一段不能忘记的历史 |url=https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/7dlMYI9RTpvkWqhF0O5ZCA |website=中科院之声 |access-date=2021-06-14 |date=2020-07-27 |archive-date=2021-06-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614033010/https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/7dlMYI9RTpvkWqhF0O5ZCA |language=zh }}</ref> However, due to an error of the onboard computer, the Fobos-Grunt probe failed to start its main engine and was stranded in the low Earth orbit after launch. Two months later, Fobos-Grunt, along with the Yinghuo-1 orbiter, re-entered and eventually burned up in the Earth atmosphere, resulting in a mission failure.<ref name=autogenerated5>{{cite news |title = Programming glitch, not radiation or satellites, doomed Phobos-Grunt |url = https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-02/07/phobos-grunt-programming-glitch |date  = 7 February 2012 |access-date = 26 February 2012 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120210215018/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-02/07/phobos-grunt-programming-glitch |archive-date = 10 February 2012 |url-status = dead |df = dmy-all}}</ref> Although the Yinghuo-1 mission did not achieve its original goal due to factors not controlled by China, it led to the dawn of the Chinese interplanetary explorations by gathering a group of talents dedicated to interplanetary research for the first time.<ref name=YH1/> On December 13, 2012, the Chinese lunar probe Chang'e 2, which was in an extended mission after the conclusion of its primary tasks in lunar orbit, made a flyby of [[4179 Toutatis|asteroid Toutatis]] with closest approach being 3.2 kilometers, making it China's first interplanetary probe.<ref name="Lakdawalla20121214">{{cite web |date=2012-12-14 |title=Chang'E 2 imaging of Toutatis succeeded beyond my expectations! |publisher=[[The Planetary Society]] |last=Lakdawalla |first=Emily | author-link = Emily Lakdawalla |url=http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2012/12141551-change-2-imaging-of-toutatis.html |access-date=2012-12-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.projectpluto.com/pluto/mpecs/cheprob3.htm |title="Pseudo-MPEC" for 2010-050A = SM999CF = Chang'e 2 probe |access-date=2012-11-15}}</ref> In 2016, the first Chinese independent Mars mission was formally approved and listed as one of the major tasks in "White Paper on China's Space Activities in 2016". The mission, which was planned in an unprecedented manner, aimed to achieve Mars orbiting, landing and roving in one single attempt in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Full text of white paper on China's space activities in 2016 |url=http://english.www.gov.cn/archive/white_paper/2016/12/28/content_281475527159496.htm |website=The State Council of the People's Republic of China |access-date=1 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212083731/http://english.www.gov.cn/archive/white_paper/2016/12/28/content_281475527159496.htm |archive-date=12 December 2022 |date=28 December 2016}}</ref>

[[File:长征五号遥二火箭转场.jpg|left|thumb|160px|alt=Long March 5 carrier rocket at Wenchang Space Launch Site|[[Long March 5]] carrier rocket at [[Wenchang Space Launch Site]]]]
[[File:Rocket engines at NMC.jpg|thumb|alt=YF-100 (middle) and YF-77 (right) are two of the engines powering the new generation of Long March rockets|[[YF-100]] (middle) and [[YF-77]] (right) are two of the engines powering the new generation of Long March rockets]]
While China was making remarkable progress in all areas above, the Long March rockets, the absolute foundation of Chinese space program, were also experiencing a crucial revolution. Ever since 1970s, the Long March rocket family had been using [[dinitrogen tetroxide]] and [[UDMH]] as propellant for liquid engines. Although this hypergolic propellant is simple, cheap and reliable, its disadvantages, including toxicity, environmental damages, and low [[specific impulse]], hindered Chinese carrier rockets from being competitive against other space powers since the mid-1980s. To get rid of such unsatisfying situation, China commenced the study of new propellant selection since the introduction of Project 863 in 1986. After an early study that lasted for over a decade, the development of a 120-ton rocket engine burning [[LOX]] and [[kerosene]] in [[staged combustion cycle]] were formally approved in 2000.<ref name="zhongguoxin">{{cite web |author1=刘朝晖 |title=航天"中国芯"升级 |url=http://www.xinminweekly.com.cn/shizheng/2016/06/29/7351.html |website=新民周刊 |access-date=2022-10-24 |date=2016-06-29 |archive-date=2022-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024074658/http://www.xinminweekly.com.cn/shizheng/2016/06/29/7351.html |language=zh }}</ref> Despite setbacks like engine explosions during initial firing tests, the development team still made breakthroughs in key technologies like [[superalloy]] production and engine ignition and completed its first long duration firing test in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |author1=中央电视台 |title=揭秘"胖五"发动机研制：每一步都无比艰难，300人曾在厂里住了3个月 |url=https://export.shobserver.com/toutiao/html/512554.html |website=上观新闻 |access-date=2022-10-24 |date=2022-07-29 |archive-date=2022-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024074657/https://export.shobserver.com/toutiao/html/512554.html |language=zh }}</ref> The engine, which was named [[YF-100]], was eventually certified in 2012, and the first engine for actual flight was ready in 2014.<ref name=sc-acceptance>{{cite web|url=http://www.spacechina.com/n25/n144/n206/n214/c239970/content.html|title=120吨级液氧煤油发动机项目验收|publisher=[[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation|CASC]]|date=2012-06-01|access-date=2015-07-02|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703005315/http://www.spacechina.com/n25/n144/n206/n214/c239970/content.html|archive-date=2015-07-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=120吨级液氧煤油火箭发动机进入工程应用阶段 |url=http://www.sastind.gov.cn/n127/n199/c353524/content.html |website=State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense of People's Republic of China |access-date=3 June 2023 |language=zh |date=30 June 2014}}</ref> On September 20, 2015,  the [[Long March 6]] ({{Zh|s=长征六号|labels=no}}), a small rocket using one YF-100 engine on its first stage, successfully conducted its maiden flight.<ref>{{cite web |author1=余建斌 |author2=李心萍 |title=人民网：中国刷新一箭多星纪录 |url=http://www.sast.spacechina.com/n1323881/n1323971/n1359970/n1359980/c1368330/content.html |website=[[Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology|SAST]] |access-date=2022-10-24 |date=2015-09-21 |archive-date=2020-12-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227061807/http://www.sast.spacechina.com/n1323881/n1323971/n1359970/n1359980/c1368330/content.html |language=zh}}</ref> On June 25, 2016, the medium-lift [[Long March 7]] ({{Zh|s=长征七号|labels=no}}), which was equipped with six YF-100 engines, completed its maiden flight in full success, increasing the maximum LEO payload capacity by Chinese rockets to 13.5 tons. The successes of Long March 6 and 7 signified the introduction of the "new generation of Long March rockets" powered by clean and more efficient engines.<ref>{{cite web |author1=魏京华 |title=托举"冰箭"的绿色动力 |url=http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1318695/n1319529/n1319562/c1343728/content.html |website=[[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation|CASC]] |access-date=2022-10-24 |date=2016-06-27 |archive-date=2016-06-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630052149/http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n1318695/n1319529/n1319562/c1343728/content.html |language=zh}}</ref>

[[File:Wenchang Space Launch Site 02.jpg|160px|thumb|alt=View of Wenchang Space Launch Site from nearby beach.|View of [[Wenchang Space Launch Site]] from nearby beach.]]
The maiden launch of Long March 7 was also the very first launch from Wenchang Space Launch Site ({{Zh|s=文昌航天发射场|labels=no}}) located in [[Wenchang]], [[Hainan Province]]. It marked the inauguration of Wenchang on the world stage of space activities. Compared with the old Jiuquan, Taiyuan, and Xichang, the Wenchang Space Launch Site, whose construction began in September 2009, is China's latest and most advanced spaceport. Rockets launched from Wenchang can send ten to fifteen percent more payloads in mass to orbit thanks to its low latitude.<ref>{{cite web |author1=姜浩峰 |title=选址海南，为大火箭做准备 |url=http://www.xinminweekly.com.cn/shizheng/2016/06/29/7350.html |website=新民周刊 |access-date=2022-10-24 |date=2016-06-29 |archive-date=2022-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024074830/http://www.xinminweekly.com.cn/shizheng/2016/06/29/7350.html |language=zh }}</ref> Additionally, due to its geographic location, the drop zones of rocket debris produced by rocket launches are in the ocean, eliminating threats posed to people and facilities on the ground. Wenchang's coastal location also allows larger rockets to be delivered to launch site by sea, which is difficult, if not impossible, for inland launch sites due to the size limits of tunnels needed to be passed through during transportations.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Stephen |title=China's new Long March 7 rocket successful on first flight |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/06/25/chinas-new-long-march-7-rocket-successful-on-first-flight/ |website=spaceflightnow.com |access-date=3 June 2023 |date=25 June 2016}}</ref>

The biggest breakthrough within the decade, if not decades, were brought by Long March 5 ({{Zh|s=长征五号|labels=no}}), the leading role of the new generation of Long March rockets and China's first [[heavy-lift launch vehicle]]. The early study of Long March 5 can be traced back to 1986, and the project was formally approved in mid-2000s. It applied 247 new technologies during its development while over 90% of its components were newly developed and applied for the first time.<ref name=cz5zgxll>{{cite web |title=长征五号，中国新力量 |url=http://www.scio.gov.cn/32621/32629/32754/Document/1515300/1515300.htm |website=The State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China |access-date=2022-10-24 |date=2016-11-04 |archive-date=2022-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031015828/http://www.scio.gov.cn/32621/32629/32754/Document/1515300/1515300.htm |language=zh }}</ref> Instead of using the classic 3.35-meter-diameter core stage and 2.25-meter-diameter side boosters, the 57-meter tall Long March 5 consists of one 5-meter-diameter core stage burning [[liquid hydrogen|LH<sub>2</sub>]]/LOX and four 3.35-meter-diameter side boosters burning kerosene/LOX. With a launch mass as high as 869 metric tons and 10,573&nbsp;kN lift-off thrust, the Long March 5, being China's most powerful rocket, is capable of lifting up to 25 tons of payload to LEO and 14 tons to GTO, making it more than 2.5 times as much as the previous record holder ([[Long March 3B]]) and nearly as equal as the most powerful rocket in the world at that time ([[Delta IV Heavy]]).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Stephen |title=China launches Long March 5, one of the world's most powerful rockets |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/11/03/china-launches-long-march-5-one-of-the-worlds-most-powerful-rockets/ |website=spaceflightnow.com |access-date=4 June 2023 |date=3 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Barbosa |first1=Rui C. |title=China conducts Long March 5 maiden launch |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/11/china-long-march-5-maiden-launch/ |website=NASASpaceflight.com |access-date=4 June 2023 |date=2 November 2016}}</ref> Due to its unprecedented capability, the Long March 5 was expected as the keystone for the Chinese space program in the early 21st century. However, after a successful maiden flight in late 2016, the second launch of the Long March 5 on July 2, 2017 suffered a failure, which was considered as the biggest setback for Chinese space program in nearly two decades.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Foust |first1=Jeff |title=Long March 5 launch fails |url=https://spacenews.com/long-march-5-launch-fails/ |website=SpaceNews |access-date=4 June 2023 |date=2 July 2017}}</ref> Because of the failure, the Long March 5 was grounded indefinitely until the problem was located and resolved, and multiple planned major space missions were either postponed or facing the risk of being postponed in the next few years.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

[[File:Separation of Queqiao.jpg|thumb|alt=Queqiao relay satellite separating from the launch vehicle on its journey to the Moon|[[Queqiao relay satellite]] separating from the launch vehicle on its journey to the Moon]]
[[File:Yutu-2 leaving Chang e-4-iau1901a.jpg|thumb|alt=Chang'e-4 and ''Yutu-2'' on the surface of the far side of the Moon|[[Chang'e-4]] and ''[[Yutu-2]]'' on the surface of the far side of the Moon]]
Despite the uncertain future of Long March 5, China managed to make history in space explorations with existing hardware in the next two years. Due to [[tidal locking]], the Moon has been orbiting the Earth as the only natural satellite by facing it with the same side. Humans had never seen the [[far side of the Moon]] until the [[Space Age]]. Although humans have already got quite an amount of knowledge about the overall condition of the far side of the Moon in early 21st century with the help of numerous visits by lunar orbiters since the 1960s, no country had ever explored the area in close distance due to lack of communications on the far side. This missing piece was eventually filled by China's [[Chang'e 4|''Chang'e-4'']] ({{Zh|s=嫦娥四号|labels=no}}) mission in 2019. To solve the communications problem, China launched [[Queqiao relay satellite|''Queqiao'']] ({{Zh|s=鹊桥号|labels=no}}), a relay satellite orbiting around the Earth–Moon [[Lagrangian points|L<sub>2</sub> Lagrangian point]], in May 2018 to enable communications between the far side of the Moon and the Earth.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barbosa |first1=Rui C. |last2=Bergin |first2=Chris |title=Queqiao relay satellite launched ahead of Chang'e-4 lunar mission |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/05/queqiao-relay-satellite-launched-change-4-lunar-mission/ |website=NASASpaceflight.com |access-date=5 June 2023 |date=20 May 2018}}</ref> On December 8, 2018, the Chang'e 4, which was originally built as the backup of Chang'e 3, was launched by a Long March 3B rocket from Xichang and entered lunar orbit on December 12.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |title=China launches Chang'e-4 spacecraft for pioneering lunar far side landing mission |url=https://spacenews.com/china-launches-change-4-spacecraft-for-pioneering-lunar-far-side-landing-mission/ |website=SpaceNews |access-date=5 June 2023 |date=7 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |title=Chang'e-4 spacecraft enters lunar orbit ahead of first-ever far side landing |url=https://spacenews.com/change-4-spacecraft-enters-lunar-orbit-ahead-of-first-ever-far-side-landing/ |website=SpaceNews |access-date=5 June 2023 |date=12 December 2018}}</ref> On January 3, 2019, Chang'e 4 successfully soft-landed at the [[Von Kármán (lunar crater)]] on the far side of the Moon, and returned the first close-up image of the lunar surface on the far side.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |title=Chang'e-4 returns first images from lunar farside following historic landing |url=https://spacenews.com/change-4-makes-historic-first-landing-on-the-far-side-of-the-moon/ |website=SpaceNews |access-date=5 June 2023 |date=3 January 2019}}</ref> A rover named ''[[Yutu-2]]'' ({{Zh|s=玉兔二号|labels=no}}) was deployed onto the lunar surface a few hours later, leaving the first trial on the far side.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Stephen |title=Chinese rover begins exploring far side of the moon |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/01/05/chinese-rover-begins-exploring-far-side-of-the-moon/ |website=spaceflightnow.com |access-date=5 June 2023 |date=5 January 2019}}</ref> The accomplishment of a series of tasks by Chang'e-4 made China the first country to successfully achieved soft-landing and roving on the far side of the Moon. Because of its great success, the project team received [[International Astronautical Federation#World Space Award|IAF World Space Award]] of 2020.<ref name="worldspaceaward">{{cite web |title=IAF WORLD SPACE AWARD |url=https://www.iafastro.org/activities/honours-and-awards/iaf-world-space-award/ |website=International Astronautical Federation |access-date=5 June 2023}}</ref>

Aside from Chang'e 4, there were some other events worth noting during this period. In August 2016, China launched world's first [[quantum communications]] satellite ''Mozi'' ({{Zh|s=墨子号|labels=no}}).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barbosa |first1=Rui C. |title=Long March 2D launches world's first quantum communications satellite |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/08/long-march-2d-quantum-communications-satellite/ |website=NASASpaceflight.com |access-date=5 June 2023 |date=15 August 2016}}</ref> In June 2017, the first Chinese [[X-ray astronomy]] satellite named [[Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope|''Huiyan'']] ({{Zh|s=慧眼|labels=no}}) was launched into space.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Stephen |title=Chinese astronomy satellite placed into orbit by Long March rocket |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/06/15/chinese-astronomy-satellite-placed-into-orbit-by-long-march-rocket/ |website=spaceflightnow.com |access-date=5 June 2023 |date=15 June 2017}}</ref> In August of the same year, the Astronaut Center of China organized a joint training in which sixteen Chinese and two [[European Space Agency|ESA]] astronauts participated. It was the first time that foreign astronauts took part in astronaut training organized by China.<ref>{{cite web |title=我国成功组织中欧航天员海上救生训练 |url=http://www.cmse.gov.cn/xwzx/zhxw/201708/t20170821_22505.html |website=中国载人航天工程官方网站 |access-date=2021-07-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720002223/http://www.cmse.gov.cn/xwzx/zhxw/201708/t20170821_22505.html |archive-date=2021-07-20 |date=2017-08-21 |language=zh }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=ESA and Chinese astronauts train together |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/ESA_and_Chinese_astronauts_train_together |website=European Space Agency |access-date=2021-07-20 |date=2017-08-24 |archive-date=2021-07-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702073545/https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/ESA_and_Chinese_astronauts_train_together}}</ref> In 2018, China performed more orbital launches than any other countries on the planet for the first time in history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_chr/lau2018.htm|title=Orbital Launches of 2018|access-date=2019-02-04}}</ref> On June 5, 2019, China conducted its first Sea Launch with [[Long March 11]] ({{Zh|s=长征十一号|labels=no}}) in the [[Yellow Sea]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barbosa |first1=Rui C. |title=China conducts first Sea Launch mission with Long March 11 launch of seven satellites |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/06/china-first-sea-launch-long-march-11-seven-satellites/ |website=NASASpaceflight.com |access-date=5 June 2023 |date=5 June 2019}}</ref> On July 25, Chinese company [[i-Space (Chinese company)|i-Space]] became the first Chinese private company to successfully conduct an orbital launch with its Hyperbola-1 small solid rocket.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |title=Chinese iSpace achieves orbit with historic private sector launch |url=https://spacenews.com/chinese-ispace-achieves-orbit-with-historic-private-sector-launch/ |website=SpaceNews |access-date=5 June 2023 |date=25 July 2019}}</ref>

As the 2010s came to an end, the Chinese space program was poised to conclude the decade with an inspiring event. On December 27, 2019, after a grounding and fixture that lasted for 908 days, the Long March 5 rocket conducted a highly anticipated return-to-flight mission from Wenchang. The mission ended in full success by placing ''Shijian-20'', the heaviest satellite China had ever built, into the intended [[supersynchronous orbit]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=黄希 |author2=杨成 |title=长征五号火箭第三飞获得圆满成功 |url=http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n2801840/n2801971/c2815696/content.html |website=[[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation]] |access-date=2022-10-24 |date=2020-01-05 |archive-date=2022-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024074703/http://zhuanti.spacechina.com/n2801840/n2801971/c2815696/content.html | language=zh }}</ref> The flawless return of Long March 5 swept away all the depressions brought by its last failure since 2017. With its great power, the Long March 5 cleared the paths to multiple world-class space projects, allowing China to make great strides toward its ambitions in the coming 2020s.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |title=Successful Long March 5 launch opens way for China's major space plans |url=https://spacenews.com/successful-long-march-5-launch-opens-way-for-chinas-major-space-plans/ |website=SpaceNews |access-date=5 June 2023 |date=27 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Stephen |title=Successful Long March 5 launch paves way for new Chinese space missions |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/12/27/successful-long-march-5-launch-paves-way-for-new-chinese-space-missions/ |website=spaceflightnow.com |access-date=5 June 2023 |date=27 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gebhardt |first1=Chris |title=Long March 5 conducts critical Return To Flight mission |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/12/long-march-5-critical-rtf-mission/ |website=NASASpaceflight.com |access-date=5 June 2023 |date=27 December 2019}}</ref>

===2020-present===
[[File:Chinese Tiangong Space Station.jpg|220px|left|thumb|alt=Tiangong Space Station after its completion in November, 2022.|[[Tiangong Space Station]] after its completion in November, 2022.]]
[[File:Shenzhou-15 spacewalk.jpg|thumb|alt=Astronaut Fei Junlong performing spacewalk on Tiangong Space Station|Astronaut [[Fei Junlong]] performing spacewalk on Tiangong Space Station]]
[[File:First gathering on Tiangong.jpg|thumb|alt=First gathering of two Chinese astronaut crews on Tiangong Space Station on November 30, 2022.|First gathering of two Chinese astronaut crews on Tiangong Space Station on November 30, 2022]]

Being the product of latest technology and engineering by Chinese space industry in the early 21st century, the flight-proven Long March 5 unleashed the potential of Chinese space program to a great extent. Various projects previously restricted by the mass and size limits of the payloads were now offered a chance of realization. Ever since 2020, with the help of Long March 5, the Chinese space program has made tremendous progress in multiple areas by completing some of the most challenging missions ever conducted in history of space explorations, impressing the world like never before.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

The "Third Step" of China Manned Space Program kicked off in 2020. [[Long March 5B]], a variant of Long March 5, conducted its maiden flight successfully on May 5, 2020. Its high payload capacity and large payload fairing space enabled the delivery of Chinese space station modules to low Earth orbit.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |title=Long March 5B launch clears path for Chinese space station project |url=https://spacenews.com/long-march-5b-launch-clears-path-for-chinese-space-station-project/ |website=SpaceNews |access-date=10 June 2023 |date=5 May 2020}}</ref> On April 29, 2021, [[Tianhe core module|''Tianhe'' core module]] ({{Zh|s=天和核心舱|labels=no}}), the 22-tonne core module of the space station, was successfully launched into Low Earth orbit by a Long March 5B rocket,<ref name="Tianhe-launch">{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |url=https://spacenews.com/china-launches-tianhe-space-station-core-module-into-orbit/ |title=China launches Tianhe space station core module into orbit |work=[[SpaceNews]] |date=April 29, 2021 |access-date=21 May 2021}}</ref> marking the beginning of the construction of the [[China Space Station]], also known as [[Tiangong Space Station|''Tiangong'']] ({{Zh|s=天宫空间站|labels=no}}), followed by unprecedented high frequency of human spaceflight missions. A month later, China launched [[Tianzhou 2|Tianzhou-2]], the first cargo mission to the space station.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Graham |first1=William |title=China launches Tianzhou 2, first cargo mission to new space station |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/05/tianzhou-2-launch/ |website=NASASpaceflight.com |access-date=10 June 2023 |date=29 May 2021}}</ref> On June 17, [[Shenzhou 12|Shenzhou-12]], the first crewed mission to the Chinese Space Station consisting of [[Nie Haisheng]], [[Liu Boming (astronaut)|Liu Boming]] and [[Tang Hongbo]], was launched from Jiuquan.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Davenport |first1=Justin |title=Shenzhou-12 and three crew members successfully launch to new Chinese space station |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/06/shenzhou-12-new-chinese-station// |website=NASASpaceflight.com |access-date=10 June 2023 |date=16 June 2021}}</ref> The crew docked with Tianhe and entered the core module about 9 hours after launch, becoming the first residents of the station. The crew lived and worked on the space station for three months, conducted two spacewalks, and returned to Earth safely on September 17, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=China brings astronauts back, advances closer to "space station era" |url=http://www.news.cn/english/2021-09/17/c_1310193742.htm |publisher=Xinhua Net |access-date=17 September 2021 |date=17 September 2021}}</ref> breaking the record of longest Chinese human spaceflight mission (33 days) previously made by Shenzhou-11.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |title=Shenzhou-12 astronauts return to Earth after 3-month space station mission |url=https://spacenews.com/shenzhou-12-astronauts-return-to-earth-after-3-month-space-station-mission/ |website=SpaceNews |access-date=10 June 2023 |date=7 September 2021}}</ref> Roughly a month later, the [[Shenzhou 13|Shenzhou-13]] crewed was launched to the station. Astronauts [[Zhai Zhigang]], [[Wang Yaping]] and [[Ye Guangfu]] completed the first long-duration spaceflight mission of China that lasted for over 180 days before returning to Earth safely on April 16, 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gray |first1=Tyler |title=Shenzhou-13 mission ends with safe return of Chinese taikonaut trio |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/04/shenzhou-13-return/ |website=NASASpaceflight.com |access-date=10 June 2023 |date=15 April 2022}}</ref> Astronaut [[Wang Yaping]] became the first Chinese female to perform a spacewalk during the mission.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Stephen |title=China's first female spacewalker helps outfit space station robotic arm |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2021/11/09/chinas-first-female-spacewalker-helps-outfit-space-station-robotic-arm/ |website=spaceflightnow.com |access-date=10 June 2023 |date=9 November 2021}}</ref>

Starting from May 2022, the China Manned Space Program had entered the space station assembly and construction phase. On June 5, 2022, [[Shenzhou 14|Shenzhou-13]] was launched and docked to Tianhe core module. The crew, including [[Chen Dong (taikonaut)|Chen Dong]], [[Liu Yang (taikonaut)|Liu Yang]] and [[Cai Xuzhe]], were expected to welcome the arrival of two space station modules during the six-month mission.<ref name="shenzhou14plan">{{cite web |title=神舟十四号载人飞行任务新闻发布会召开 |url=http://www.cmse.gov.cn/xwzx/202206/t20220604_49962.html |website=[[China Manned Space Program]] |access-date=2022-06-05 |date=2022-06-05 |archive-date=2022-06-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605064359/http://www.cmse.gov.cn/xwzx/202206/t20220604_49962.html |language=zh }}</ref> On July 24, the third Long March 5B rocket lifted off from Wenchang, carrying the 23.2 t [[Wentian module|''Wentian'' laboratory module]] ({{Zh|s=问天实验舱|labels=no}}), the largest and heaviest spacecraft ever built and launched by China, into orbit. The module docked with the space station less than 20 hours later, adding the second module and the first laboratory module to it.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |title=Second module docks at China's space station, large rocket stage tracked in orbit |url=https://spacenews.com/second-module-docks-at-chinas-space-station-large-rocket-stage-tracked-in-orbit/ |website=SpaceNews |date=24 July 2022 |access-date=26 July 2022}}</ref> On September 30, the new Wentian module was rotated from the forward docking port to starboard parking port.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |title=China moves Tiangong space station module to side docking port (video) |url=https://www.space.com/china-moves-module-tiangong-space-station-video |website=SPACE.com |access-date=10 June 2023 |date=7 October 2022}}</ref> On October 31, the [[Mengtian module|''Mengtian'' laboratory module]] ({{Zh|s=梦天实验舱|labels=no}}), the third and final module of China Space Station, was launched by another Long March 5B rocket into orbit and docked with the space station in less than 13 hours later.<ref>{{Cite web |title=China launches lab module Mengtian as space station approaches completion- China.org.cn |url=http://www.china.org.cn/china/2022-10/31/content_78494902.htm |access-date=2022-11-03 |website=www.china.org.cn}}</ref> On November 3, the 'T-shape' China Space Station was completed after the successful transposition of the Mengtian module.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=China Is Now a Major Space Power|magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/story/china-is-now-a-major-space-power-tiangong-space-station/|access-date=4 November 2022|last1=Skibba |first1=Ramin }}</ref> On November 29, [[Shenzhou 15|Shenzhou-15]] was launched and later docked with China Space Station. Astronauts [[Fei Junlong]], [[Deng Qingming]], and [[Zhang Lu (taikonaut)|Zhang Lu]] were welcomed by the Shenzhou-14 crew on board the station, completing the first crew gathering and handover in space by Chinese astronauts and starting the era of continuous Chinese astronaut presence in space.<ref>{{cite web |title=中国航天员乘组完成首次在轨交接 神舟十四号航天员乘组将于12月4日返回东风着陆场 |url=http://www.cmse.gov.cn/xwzx/202212/t20221203_51712.html |website=[[China Manned Space Program]] |access-date=2023-04-01 |date=2022-12-03| language=zh}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Stephen |title=Chinese astronauts meet in space for historic crew handover |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/11/29/chinese-astronauts-meet-in-space-for-historic-crew-handover |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=Spaceflight Now |date=29 November 2022 }}</ref>

[[File:Chang'e-5 mockup at CSTM 01.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Chang'e-5 lander and ascender assembly full-scale mockup display at China Science and Technology Museum|[[Chang'e 5|Chang'e-5]] lander and ascender assembly full-scale mockup display at [[China Science and Technology Museum]]]]
The third phase of Chinese Lunar Exploration Program was also allowed to proceed in 2020. As preparation, China conducted [[Chang'e 5-T1]] mission in 2014. By completing its main task on November 1, 2014, China demonstrated the capability of returning a spacecraft from the lunar orbit back to Earth safely, paving the way for the lunar [[sample return mission]] to be conducted in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |last1=David |first1=Leonard |title=China's 1st Round-Trip Moon Shot Sets Stage for Bigger Lunar Feats |url=https://www.space.com/27661-china-moon-mission-sample-return.html |website=SPACE.com |access-date=10 June 2023 |date=5 November 2014}}</ref> However, the failure of the second Long March 5 mission disrupted the original plan. Despite the readiness of the spacecraft, the mission had to be postponed due to the unavailability of its launch vehicle, until the successful return-to-flight of Long March 5 in late 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Foust |first1=Jeff |title=Long March 5 failure to postpone China's lunar exploration program |url=https://spacenews.com/long-march-5-failure-to-postpone-chinas-lunar-exploration-program/ |website=SpaceNews |access-date=10 June 2023 |date=25 September 2017}}</ref> On November 24, 2020, the sample return mission, entitled [[Chang'e 5|Chang'e-5]] ({{Zh|s=嫦娥五号|labels=no}}), kicked off as the Long March 5 rocket launched the 8.2 t spacecraft stack into space.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Berger |first1=Eric |title=A successful liftoff for China's most ambitious Moon mission to date |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/11/a-successful-liftoff-for-chinas-most-ambitious-moon-mission-to-date/ |website=ArsTechnica |access-date=11 June 2023 |date=24 November 2020}}</ref> The spacecraft entered lunar orbit on November 28, followed by a separation of the stack into two parts. The lander landed near [[Mons Rümker]] in [[Oceanus Procellarum]] on December 1 and started the sample collection process the next day.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |url=https://spacenews.com/change-5-successfully-lands-on-moon-collect-youngest-lunar-samples/ |title=Chang'e-5 successfully lands on moon to collect youngest lunar samples |work=[[SpaceNews]] |date=December 1, 2020 |access-date=11 June 2023}}</ref> Two days after the landing, on December 3, the ascent vehicle attached to the lander took off from lunar surface and entered lunar orbit, carrying the container with collected samples. This was the first time that China launched a spacecraft from an extraterrestrial body.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |url=https://spacenews.com/change-5-spacecraft-prepare-for-historic-lunar-orbit-rendezvous-sample-relay/ |title=Chang'e-5 spacecraft prepare for historic lunar orbit rendezvous, sample relay |work=[[SpaceNews]] |date=December 4, 2020 |access-date=11 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=嫦娥五号上升器进入预定轨道 实现我国首次地外天体起飞 |url=http://www.clep.org.cn/n5982341/c6810748/content.html |website=[[Chinese Lunar Exploration Program|CLEP]] |access-date=2022-10-25 |date=2020-12-03 |archive-date=2021-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125192438/http://www.clep.org.cn/n5982341/c6810748/content.html |language=zh }}</ref> On December 6, the ascent vehicle successfully docked with the orbiter in lunar orbit and transferred the sample container to the return capsule, accomplishing the first robotic rendezvous and docking in lunar orbit in history.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |title=China's Chang'e 5 aces lunar orbit docking needed to bring moon samples home |url=https://www.space.com/china-chang-e-5-moon-orbit-docking-success |website=SPACE.com |access-date=11 June 2023 |date=6 December 2020}}</ref> On December 13, the orbiter, along with the return module, entered the orbit back to Earth after main engine burns.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |title=China's moon rocks are officially on their way to Earth as Chang'e 5 probe leaves lunar orbit |url=https://www.space.com/china-chang-e-5-moon-sample-spacecraft-returning-to-earth |website=SPACE.com |access-date=11 June 2023 |date=14 December 2020}}</ref> The return capsule eventually landed intact in Inner Mongolia on December 17, sealing the perfect completion of the mission.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |url=https://spacenews.com/china-recovers-change-5-moon-samples-after-complex-23-day-mission/ |title=China recovers Chang'e-5 moon samples after complex 23-day mission |work=[[SpaceNews]] |date=December 16, 2020 |access-date=11 June 2023}}</ref>

[[File:Chang'e-5 soil samples.png|thumb|alt=A small portion of the lunar samples retrieved by Chang'e-5|A small portion of the lunar samples retrieved by Chang'e-5]]
On December 19, 2020, CNSA hosted the Chang'e-5 lunar sample handover ceremony in Beijing. By weighing the sample container taken out from the return capsule, CNSA announced that Chang'e-5 retrieved 1,731 grams of samples from the Moon.<ref>{{cite web |title=China's Chang'e-5 retrieves 1,731 grams of moon samples |url=https://www.cnsa.gov.cn/english/n6465652/n6465653/c6810963/content.html |website=[[China National Space Administration|CNSA]] |access-date=11 June 2023 |date=19 December 2020}}</ref> Being the most complex mission completed by China at the time, the Chang'e-5 mission achieved multiple remarkable milestones, including China's first lunar sampling, first liftoff from an extraterrestrial body, first automated rendezvous and docking in lunar orbit (by any nation) and the first spacecraft carrying samples to re-enter Earth's atmosphere at high speed.<ref>{{cite web |last1=David |first1=Leonard |title=China Scores Moon Sample Milestone |url=https://www.leonarddavid.com/china-scores-moon-sample-milestone/ |website=Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE |access-date=11 June 2023 |date=16 December 2020}}</ref> Its success also marked the completion of the goal of "Orbiting, Landing, Returning" planned by CLEP since 2004.<ref name=ce5success>{{cite web |title=嫦娥五号探测器圆满完成我国首次地外天体采样返回任务 |url=http://www.clep.org.cn/n5982341/c6810874/content.html |website=[[Chinese Lunar Exploration Program|CLEP]] |access-date=2022-10-25 |date=2020-12-17 |archive-date=2022-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231213052/http://www.clep.org.cn/n5982341/c6810874/content.html |language=zh }}</ref>

[[File:Zhurong-with-lander-selfie.png|thumb|alt=Zhurong rover group selfie with the Tianwen-1 lander taken after the successful landing.|[[Zhurong rover|''Zhurong'' rover]] group selfie with the Tianwen-1 lander taken after the successful landing.]]
Prior to the launch of Chang'e-5, which targeted the Moon 380,000&nbsp;km away from the Earth, China's first Mars probe had departed, heading to the Mars 400 million kilometers away. Ever since the approval of the Mars mission in 2016, China had developed various technologies required, including [[Chinese Deep Space Network|deep space network]], [[atmospheric entry]], lander hovering and obstacle avoidance.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Andrew Jones |title=China quietly used NASA's Jupiter probe to test its deep space network |url=https://spacenews.com/china-quietly-used-nasas-jupiter-probe-to-test-its-deep-space-network/ |website=SpaceNews |access-date=2021-06-14 |date=2019-11-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=CNSA invited embassies and media to witness hovering and obstacle avoidance test for Mars Lander of China's first Mars exploration mission |url=https://www.cnsa.gov.cn/english/n6465652/n6465653/c6808105/content.html |website=CNSA |access-date=11 June 2023 |date=14 November 2019}}</ref> Long March 5, the only launch vehicle capable of delivering the spacecraft, was back to service after its critical return-to-flight in December 2019. As a result, all things were ready when the launch windows of July 2020 arrived. On April 24, 2020, CNSA officially announced the program of [[Planetary Exploration of China]] and named China's first independent Mars mission as ''[[Tianwen-1]]'' ({{Zh|s=天问一号|labels=no}}).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |url=https://spacenews.com/chinas-mars-mission-named-tianwen-1-appears-on-track-for-july-launch/ |title=China's Mars mission named Tianwen-1, appears on track for July launch |work=[[SpaceNews]] |date=July 23, 2020 |access-date=26 March 2023}}</ref> On July 23, 2020, Tianwen-1 was successfully launched atop a Long March 5 rocket into [[Trans-Mars injection]] orbit.<ref name="Tianwen-launch">{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |url=https://spacenews.com/tianwen-1-launches-for-mars-marking-dawn-of-chinese-interplanetary-exploration/ |title=Tianwen-1 launches for Mars, marking dawn of Chinese interplanetary exploration |work=[[SpaceNews]] |date=July 23, 2020 |access-date=26 March 2023}}</ref> The spacecraft, consisting of an orbiter, a lander, and a rover, aimed to achieve the goals of orbiting, landing, and roving on Mars in one single mission on the nation's first attempt. Due to its highly complex and risky nature, the mission was widely described as "ambitious" by international observers.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |url=https://spacenews.com/china-raises-the-stakes-with-second-mars-attempt/ |title=China raises the stakes with second Mars attempt |work=[[SpaceNews]] |date=July 22, 2020 |access-date=11 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Wall |first1=Mike |title=China launches ambitious Tianwen-1 Mars rover mission |url=https://www.space.com/china-tianwen-1-mars-mission-launch.html |website=SPACE.com |access-date=11 June 2023 |date=23 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Berger |first1=Eric |title=China set to launch an ambitious lander mission to Mars |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/07/china-set-to-launch-an-ambitious-lander-mission-to-mars/ |website=ArsTechnica |access-date=11 June 2023 |date=22 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gebhardt |first1=Chris |title=China seeks "Heavenly Questions" with ambitious Tianwen-1 mission to Mars |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/07/china-ambitious-tianwen1-mars/ |website=NASASpaceflight.com |access-date=11 June 2023 |date=22 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=China launches ambitious attempt to land rover on Mars |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/china-launches-ambitious-attempt-land-rover-mars-rcna59 |website=NBC News |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=11 June 2023 |date=23 July 2020}}</ref>

After a seven-month journey, on February 10, 2021, Tianwen-1 entered Mars orbit and became China's first operational Mars probe.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Stephen |title=China's first Mars mission enters orbit around Red Planet |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2021/02/10/chinas-first-mars-mission-enters-orbit-around-red-planet/ |website=spaceflightnow.com |access-date=11 June 2023 |date=10 February 2021}}</ref> The payloads on the orbiter were subsequently activated and started surveying Mars in preparation for the landing. In the following few months, CNSA released a series of images captured by the orbiter.<ref>{{cite web |title=China shows first high-def pictures of Mars taken by Tianwen 1 |url=https://www.cnsa.gov.cn/english/n6465652/n6465653/c6811350/content.html |website=[[China National Space Administration|CNSA]] |access-date=11 June 2023 |date=4 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=国家航天局发布天问一号拍摄火星侧身影像 |url=https://www.cnsa.gov.cn/n6758823/n6758838/c6811448/content.html |website=[[China National Space Administration|CNSA]] |access-date=11 June 2023 |date=26 March 2021 |language=zh}}</ref> On April 24, CNSA announced that the first Chinese Mars rover carried by Tianwen-1 probe had been named [[Zhurong (rover)|''Zhurong'']], the god of fire in ancient Chinese mythology.<ref>{{cite web |title=Update: China Focus: China's first Mars rover named Zhurong |url=https://www.cnsa.gov.cn/english/n6465652/n6465653/c6811942/content.html |website=[[China National Space Administration|CNSA]] |access-date=11 June 2023 |date=25 April 2020}}</ref>

On May 15, 2020, around 1 am ([[Beijing time]]), Tianwen-1 initiated its landing process by igniting its main engines and lowering its orbit, followed by the separation of landing module at 4 am. The orbiter then returned to the parking orbit while the lander moved toward Mars atmosphere. Three hours later, the landing experienced the most dangerous atmospheric entry process that lasted for nine minutes. At 7:18 am, the lander successfully landed on the preselected southern [[Utopia Planitia]].<ref name="Zhurong-landing">{{cite web |title=Probe makes historic landing on Mars |url=https://www.cnsa.gov.cn/english/n6465652/n6465653/c6812005/content.html |website=[[China National Space Administration|CNSA]] |access-date=11 June 2023 |date=17 May 2021}}</ref> On May 25, the ''Zhurong'' rover drove onto the Martian surface from the lander.<ref>{{cite web |last1=David |first1=Leonard |title=China's Mars Rover: On a Roll |url=https://www.leonarddavid.com/chinas-mars-rover-on-a-roll/ |website=Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE |access-date=11 June 2023 |date=22 May 2021}}</ref> On June 11, CNSA released the first batch of high-resolution images of landing sites captured by ''Zhurong'' rovers, marking the success of the Mars landing mission.<ref>{{cite web |title=天问一号探测器着陆火星首批科学影像图揭幕 |url=https://www.cnsa.gov.cn/n6758823/n6758838/c6812123/content.html |website=[[China National Space Administration|CNSA]] |access-date=11 June 2023 |language=zh |date=11 June 2021}}</ref> Being China's first independent Mars mission, Tianwen-1 completed the daunting process involving the orbiting, landing, and roving in highly sophisticated manner on one single attempt, making China the second nation to land and drive a Mars rover on the Martian surface after the United States. It drew the attention of the world as another example of China's rapidly expanding presence in outer space.<ref name="Zhurong-landing"/> Because of its huge difficulty and inspiring success, the Tianwen-1 development team received IAF World Space Award of 2022. It was the second time that a Chinese team awarded with this honor after the Chang'e-4 mission in 2019.<ref name="worldspaceaward"/>

On 13 March, China attempted to launch two spacecrafts, DRO-A and DRO-B, into [[distant retrograde orbit]] around the Moon. As an independent project, the mission was managed by [[Chinese Academy of Sciences]] instead of Chinese Lunar Exploration Program. However, the mission failed to reach the strived for orbit due to an upper stage malfunction, remaining stranded in low Earth orbit.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7529 |title=Status of "DRO-A/B" |access-date= 14 March 2024 |work=Next Spaceflight }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |date=2024-03-14 |title=Surprise Chinese lunar mission hit by launch anomaly |url=https://spacenews.com/surprise-chinese-lunar-mission-hit-by-launch-anomaly/ |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}</ref> Rescue attempts had been made as its orbit had been observed being significantly raised to a [[highly elliptical orbit]] since its launch, yet the following status remains unknown to the public.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |title=China appears to be trying to save stricken spacecraft from lunar limbo Andrew Jones March 28, 2024 |url=https://spacenews.com/china-appears-to-be-trying-to-save-stricken-spacecraft-from-lunar-limbo/ |website=SpaceNews |access-date=14 April 2024 |date=28 March 2024}}</ref> They appear to have succeeded in reaching their desired orbit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |date=2024-08-20 |title=Chinese spacecraft appear to reach lunar orbit despite launch setback |url=https://spacenews.com/chinese-spacecraft-appear-to-reach-lunar-orbit-despite-launch-setback/ |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |date=2024-03-28 |title=China appears to be trying to save stricken spacecraft from lunar limbo |url=https://spacenews.com/china-appears-to-be-trying-to-save-stricken-spacecraft-from-lunar-limbo/ |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}</ref>

On 20 March 2024 China launched its relay satellite, [[Queqiao-2]], in the orbit of the Moon, along with two mini satellites [[Tiandu|Tiandu 1 and 2]]. Queqiao-2 will relay communications for the Chang'e 6 (far side of the Moon), Chang'e 7 and Chang'e 8 (Lunar south pole region) spacecrafts. Tiandu 1 and 2 will test technologies for a future lunar navigation and positioning constellation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |date=2024-03-14 |title=China launches Queqiao-2 relay satellite to support moon missions |url=https://spacenews.com/china-launches-queqiao-2-relay-satellite-to-support-moon-missions/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}</ref> All the three probes entered lunar orbit successfully on 24 March 2024 (Tiandu-1 and 2 were attached to each other and separated in lunar orbit on 3 April 2024).<ref>{{Cite web |title=探月工程里程碑：天都二号卫星成功应用冷气微推进系统 |url=http://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MzA4ODM1ODU0OA==&mid=2653749333&idx=2&sn=6a400906c49236d7a7a1f06fb14e4681&chksm=8bf2cbaebc8542b839ea8a8e55b2003b8049540daccf37c1b96cfe9a6ed8aae7d25cba89f35f#rd |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=Weixin Official Accounts Platform}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |date=2024-03-25 |title=China's Queqiao-2 relay satellite enters lunar orbit |url=https://spacenews.com/chinas-queqiao-2-relay-satellite-enters-lunar-orbit/ |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}</ref>

China sent [[Chang'e 6]] on 3 May 2024, which conducted the first lunar sample return from [[Apollo (crater)|Apollo Basin]] on the [[far side of the Moon]].<ref name="AJ_FI-20230425">{{cite tweet |author=Andrew Jones |user= AJ_FI |number=1650832520978526208 |title=China's Chang'e-6 sample return mission (a first ever lunar far side sample-return) is scheduled to launch in May 2024, and expected to take 53 days from launch to return module touchdown. Targeting southern area of Apollo basin (~43º S, 154º W) |date=25 April 2023}}</ref> This is China's second lunar sample return mission, the first was achieved by [[Chang'e 5]] from the lunar near side four years earlier.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |url=https://spacenews.com/chinas-change-6-probe-arrives-at-spaceport-for-first-ever-lunar-far-side-sample-mission/ |title=China's Chang'e-6 probe arrives at spaceport for first-ever lunar far side sample mission |work=[[SpaceNews]] |date=10 January 2024 |access-date=10 January 2024}}</ref> It also carried the Chinese ''Jinchan'' rover to conduct [[Absorption spectroscopy|infrared spectroscopy]] of lunar surface and imaged Chang'e 6 lander on lunar surface.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |title=China's Chang'e-6 is carrying a surprise rover to the moon |url=https://spacenews.com/chinas-change-6-is-carrying-a-surprise-rover-to-the-moon/ |website=SpaceNews |access-date=8 May 2024 |date=6 May 2024 |archive-date=8 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508193233/https://spacenews.com/chinas-change-6-is-carrying-a-surprise-rover-to-the-moon/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The lander-ascender-rover combination was separated with the orbiter and returner before landing on 1 June 2024 at 22:23 UTC. It landed on the Moon's surface on 1 June 2024.<ref name="AJ_FI-20240601">{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |url=https://spacenews.com/change-6-lands-on-far-side-of-the-moon-to-collect-unique-lunar-samples/ |title=Chang'e-6 lands on far side of the moon to collect unique lunar samples |work=[[SpaceNews]] |date=1 June 2024 |access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref><ref name="segeryu240602">{{cite tweet | author= Seger Yu | user= SegerYu | number= 1797042217804337307 | title= 落月时刻 2024-06-02 06:23:15.861 | language= zh }}</ref> The ascender was launched back to lunar orbit on 3 June 2024 at 23:38 UTC, carrying samples collected by the lander, and later completed another robotic rendezvous and docking in lunar orbit. The sample container was then transferred to the returner, which landed in [[Inner Mongolia]] on 25 June 2024, completing China's far side extraterrestrial sample return mission. After dropping off the return samples for Earth, the Chang'e 6 (CE-6) orbiter was successfully captured by the [[Sun-Earth L2]] Lagrange point on 9 September 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |date=2024-09-10 |title=Chang'e-6 orbiter turns up at Sun-Earth Lagrange point after moon sampling mission |url=https://spacenews.com/change-6-orbiter-turns-up-at-sun-earth-lagrange-point-after-moon-sampling-mission/ |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}</ref>
====Near future development====

[[File:Xuntian Space Telescope mockup at NMC 01.jpg|thumb|alt=Xuntian Space Telescope mockup|[[Xuntian|Xuntian Space Telescope]] mockup]]
According to a 2022 government white paper, China will conduct more human spaceflight, lunar and planetary exploration missions, including:<ref name="whitpaper2021">{{cite web |date=28 January 2022 |title=Full Text: China's Space Program: A 2021 Perspective |url=https://english.www.gov.cn/archive/whitepaper/202201/28/content_WS61f35b3dc6d09c94e48a467a.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128153120/https://english.www.gov.cn/archive/whitepaper/202201/28/content_WS61f35b3dc6d09c94e48a467a.html |archive-date=28 January 2022 |access-date=27 May 2023 |website=The State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China}}</ref>
* [[Xuntian|Xuntian Space Telescope]] launch.
* [[Chang'e 7|Chang'e-7]] mission to perform a precise landing in the Moon's polar region that includes a "hopping detector" to explore permanently-shadowed areas.
* [[Chang'e 8|Chang'e-8]] lunar polar mission to test [[in-situ resource utilization]] and establish the predicate for the [[International Lunar Research Station]].
* [[Tianwen-2]] mission to sample near-Earth asteroids and probe main-belt comets.
* [[Tianwen-3]] mission using two launches to return samples from Mars.
* [[Tianwen-4]] mission to explore the [[Jupiter (planet)|Jupiter]] system and [[Callisto (moon)|Callisto]]; a probe to fly-by [[Uranus (planet)|Uranus]] will be attached to the Jupiter probe.

In addition to these, China has also initiated the crewed lunar landing phase of its lunar exploration program, which aims to land Chinese astronauts on the Moon by 2030. A new crewed carrier rocket ([[Long March 10]]), [[next-generation crewed spacecraft|new generation crew spacecraft]], [[Chinese crewed lunar lander|crewed lunar lander]], lunar [[extravehicular activity|EVA]] spacesuit, lunar rover and other equipment are under development.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |title=China sets sights on crewed lunar landing before 2030 |url=https://spacenews.com/china-sets-sights-on-crewed-lunar-landing-before-2030/ |website=SpaceNews |access-date=11 June 2023 |date=29 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=David |first1=Leonard |title=China Starts "Landing Phase" of Placing Astronauts on Moon Before 2030 – New Launch Site, Booster, Lunar Lander in the Works |url=https://www.leonarddavid.com/china-starts-landing-phase-of-placing-astronauts-on-moon-before-2030-new-launch-site-booster-lunar-lander-in-the-works/ |website=Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE |access-date=11 June 2023 |date=29 May 2023}}</ref>

CNSA's ''[[Tianwen-2]]'' was launched in May 2025,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andrew Jones published |date=2022-05-18 |title=China to launch Tianwen 2 asteroid-sampling mission in 2025 |url=https://www.space.com/china-tianwen2-asteroid-sampling-mission-2025-launch |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=Space.com}}</ref> to explore the [[co-orbital]] near-Earth asteroid [[469219 Kamoʻoalewa]] and the [[active asteroid]] [[311P/PanSTARRS]] and collecting samples of the regolith of Kamo'oalewa.<ref name="nature20190430">{{cite journal |last=Gibney |first=Elizabeth |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-01390-5 |title=China plans mission to Earth's pet asteroid |journal=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]] |date=30 April 2019 |access-date=4 June 2019 |doi=10.1038/d41586-019-01390-5|pmid=32346150 |s2cid=155198626 }}</ref>