Editing Chinese space program (section)

==Notable spaceflight programs==

===Project 714===
{{Main|Shuguang (spacecraft)}}

As the [[Space Race]] between the two superpowers reached its climax with humans landing on the Moon, Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai decided on July 14, 1967, that the PRC should not be left behind, and therefore initiated China's own crewed space program. The top-secret Project 714 aimed to put two people into space by 1973 with the [[Shuguang spacecraft]]. Nineteen [[PLAAF]] pilots were selected for this goal in March 1971. The Shuguang-1 spacecraft to be launched with the [[CZ-2A]] rocket was designed to carry a crew of two. The program was officially cancelled on May 13, 1972, for economic reasons, though the internal politics of the [[Cultural Revolution]] likely motivated the closure.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

The short-lived second crewed program was based on the successful implementation of landing technology (third in the World after [[USSR]] and United States) by [[Fanhui Shi Weixing|FSW satellite]]s. It was announced a few times in 1978 with the open publishing of some details including photos, but then was abruptly canceled in 1980. It has been argued that the second crewed program was created solely for propaganda purposes, and was never intended to produce results.<ref name=Astronautix>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.astronautix.com/craft/chie1978.htm|title=Chinese Crewed Capsule 1978|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Astronautica|access-date=2009-05-13|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6AG9KTvIj?url=http://www.astronautix.com/craft/chie1978.htm|archive-date=2012-08-28}} {{cite web |url=http://www.astronautix.com/articles/chidoors.htm |title=Encyclopedia Astronautica Index: 1 |access-date=2009-05-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6AG9L3TY1?url=http://www.astronautix.com/articles/chidoors.htm |archive-date=2012-08-28 }}</ref>

===Project 863===
A new crewed space program was proposed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in March 1986, as ''Astronautics plan 863-2''. This consisted of a crewed spacecraft (Project 863–204) used to ferry astronaut crews to a space station (Project 863–205). In September of that year, astronauts in training were presented by the Chinese media. The various proposed crewed spacecraft were mostly spaceplanes. Project 863 ultimately evolved into the 1992 ''Project 921''.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

===China Manned Space Program (Project 921)===
{{Main|China Manned Space Program}}

====Spacecraft====

[[File:Shenzhou-13 at NMC 1.jpg|thumb|180px|alt=Return capsule and parachute of Shenzhou spacecraft|Return capsule and parachute of [[Shenzhou spacecraft]]]]
[[File:CMS 30 years exhibition.jpg|thumb|alt=Exhibition of China Manned Space Program at the National Museum of China in 2023|Exhibition of [[China Manned Space Program]] at the [[National Museum of China]] in 2023]]
In 1992, authorization and funding were given for the first phase of Project 921, which was a plan to launch a crewed spacecraft. The Shenzhou program had four uncrewed test flights and two crewed missions. The first one was [[Shenzhou 1]] on November 20, 1999. On January 9, 2001 [[Shenzhou 2]] launched carrying test animals. [[Shenzhou 3]] and [[Shenzhou 4]] were launched in 2002, carrying test dummies. Following these was the successful [[Shenzhou 5]], China's first crewed mission in space on October 15, 2003, which carried [[Yang Liwei]] in orbit for 21 hours and made China the third nation to launch a human into orbit. [[Shenzhou 6]] followed two years later ending the first phase of Project 921. Missions are launched on the [[Long March 2F]] rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) of the [[Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission]] provides engineering and administrative support for the crewed Shenzhou missions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spacefoundation.org/news/story.php?id=943 |title=China's Crewed Space Program Takes the Stage at 26th National Space Symposium |date=April 10, 2010 |publisher=The Space Foundation |access-date=March 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412021625/http://www.spacefoundation.org/news/story.php?id=943 |archive-date=April 12, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

====Space laboratory====
{{Main|Project 921-2}}
The second phase of the Project 921 started with [[Shenzhou 7]], China's first spacewalk mission. Then, two crewed missions were planned to the first Chinese space laboratory. The PRC initially designed the Shenzhou spacecraft with docking technologies imported from Russia, therefore compatible with the [[International Space Station]] (ISS). On September 29, 2011, China launched [[Tiangong 1]]. This target module is intended to be the first step to testing the technology required for a planned space station.

On October 31, 2011, a Long March 2F rocket lifted the [[Shenzhou 8]] uncrewed spacecraft which docked twice with the Tiangong 1 module. The [[Shenzhou 9]] craft took off on 16 June 2012 with a crew of 3. It successfully docked with the Tiangong-1 laboratory on 18 June 2012, at 06:07 UTC, marking China's first crewed spacecraft docking.<ref>{{cite news | author=Jonathan Amos | title=Shenzhou-9 docks with Tiangong-1 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18481806 | work=BBC | date=18 June 2012 | access-date=21 June 2012}}</ref> Another crewed mission, [[Shenzhou 10]], launched on 11 June 2013. The Tiangong 1 target module is then expected to be deorbited.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15523123|title=Chinese Shenzhou craft launches on key space mission| work= BBC News|date=October 31, 2011|access-date=December 6, 2014}}</ref>

A second space lab, [[Tiangong 2]], launched on 15 September 2016, 22:04:09 (UTC+8).<ref>{{cite news | author=Katie Hunt and Deborah Bloom| title=China launches Tiangong-2 space lab| url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/15/asia/china-launches-tiangong-2-space-lab/| work=CNN | date=15 September 2016 | access-date=26 September 2016}}</ref> The launch mass was 8,600&nbsp;kg, with a length of 10.4m and a width of 3.35m, much like the Tiangong 1.<ref name="Rui Barbosa">{{cite news | author= Rui Barbosa| title=China launches Tiangong-2 orbital module| url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/09/china-launch-tiangong-2-orbital-module/| work=NASASPACEFLIGHT.com | date=14 September 2016 | access-date=26 September 2016}}</ref> [[Shenzhou 11]] launched and rendezvoused with Tiangong 2 in October 2016, with an unconfirmed further mission Shenzhou 12 in the future. The Tiangong 2 brings with it the POLAR gamma ray burst detector, a space-Earth quantum key distribution, and laser communications experiment to be used in conjunction with the Mozi 'Quantum Science Satellite', a liquid bridge thermocapillary convection experiment, and a space material experiment. Also included is a stereoscopic microwave altimeter, a space plant growth experiment, and a multi-angle wide-spectral imager and multi-spectral limb imaging spectrometer. Onboard TG-2 there will also be the world's first-ever in-space cold atomic fountain clock.<ref name="Rui Barbosa"/>

====Space station====
{{Main|Tiangong Space Station|Tiangong program}}

A larger basic permanent space station (基本型空间站) would be the third and last phase of Project 921. This will be a modular design with an eventual weight of around 60 tons, to be completed sometime before 2022. The first section, designated [[Tiangong 3]], was scheduled for launch after Tiangong 2,<ref name=sdc20110307>
{{cite news |last1=David|first1=Leonard |title=China Details Ambitious Space Station Goals |url=http://www.space.com/11048-china-space-station-plans-details.html |access-date=2011-03-09 |newspaper=SPACE.com |date=2011-03-11 |quote=China is ready to carry out a multiphase construction program that leads to the large space station around 2020. As a prelude to building that facility, China is set to loft the Tiangong-1 module this year as a platform to help master key rendezvous and docking technologies.}}</ref> but ultimately not ordered after its goals were merged with Tiangong 2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmse.gov.cn/art/2016/4/28/art_18_27619.html|title=脚踏实地，仰望星空—访中国载人航天工程总设计师周建平|publisher=Chinese Government|access-date=2017-04-22}}</ref>

This could also be the beginning of China's crewed international cooperation, the existence of which was officially disclosed for the first time after the launch of Shenzhou 7.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-09/26/content_10114727.htm|title=权威发布:神舟飞船将从神八开始批量生产|publisher=[[新华网]]|date=2008-09-26|access-date=September 26, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929025036/http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-09/26/content_10114727.htm|archive-date=September 29, 2008}}</ref>

The first module of [[Tiangong space station]], [[Tianhe (space station module)|''Tianhe'' core module]], was launched on 29 April 2021, from Wenchang Space Launch Site.<ref name="Tianhe-launch" /> It was first visited by [[Shenzhou 12]] crew on 17 June 2021. The Chinese space station is scheduled to be completed in 2022<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/c863c828-e37c-11e0-8f47-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1YScsPtqK |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210211240/https://www.ft.com/content/c863c828-e37c-11e0-8f47-00144feabdc0#axzz1YScsPtqK |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |title=China takes first step towards space station |newspaper=Financial Times |date=September 20, 2011 |access-date=September 20, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> and fully operational by 2023.

===Lunar exploration===
{{Main|Chinese Lunar Exploration Program}}

[[File:Chang'e-3 lunar landing site.jpg|thumb|Annotated image of the approximate landing site of the Chinese Chang'e-3 lander. It was launched at 17:30 UTC on 1 December 2013 and reached the Moon's surface on 14 December 2013. The lunar coordinates are: 44.12°N 19.51°W.]]
[[File:ChangE-4 - PCAM (51216550288).png|thumb|alt=Chang'e 4 lander on the far side of the Moon|[[Chang'e 4]] lander on the far side of the Moon]]
In January 2004, the PRC formally started the implementation phase of its uncrewed [[Moon]] exploration project. According to [[Sun Laiyan]], administrator of the China National Space Administration, the project will involve three phases: orbiting the Moon; landing; and returning samples.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

On December 14, 2005, it was reported "an effort to launch lunar orbiting satellites will be supplanted in 2007 by a program aimed at accomplishing an uncrewed lunar landing. A program to return uncrewed space vehicles from the Moon will begin in 2012 and last for five years, until the crewed program gets underway" in 2017, with a crewed Moon landing planned after that.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newsfactor.com/|title=NewsFactor|website=NewsFactor}}</ref>

The decision to develop a new Moon rocket in the 1962 Soviet [[Universal Rocket#UR=700|UR-700M]]-class ([[Project Aelita]]) able to launch a 500-ton payload in [[Lunar transfer orbit#Application to interplanetary travel|LTO]]{{Dubious|date=May 2011}} and a more modest 50 tons LTO payload LV has been discussed in a 2006 conference by academician [[Zhang Guitian]] ({{Zh|s=张贵田|labels=no}}), a liquid propellant rocket engine specialist, who developed the [[CZ-2]] and [[CZ-4A]] rockets engines.<ref name=war-sky>{{cite web|url=http://www.war-sky.com/forum/htm_data/18/0711/243428.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304033007/http://www.war-sky.com/forum/htm_data/18/0711/243428.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-03-04|title=针对我们国家登月火箭的猜测|work=虚幻军事天空 |access-date=2007-11-20}}</ref><ref name=ChineseCrewedLunarRocket>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnsa.gov.cn/n615708/n984628/n984631/72231.html |title=中国载人登月火箭及其动力系统设想 |publisher=国家航天局网 |date=2006-07-25 |access-date=May 9, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314151359/http://www.cnsa.gov.cn/n615708/n984628/n984631/72231.html |archive-date=March 14, 2008 }}</ref><ref name=zhangguitian>{{cite web |url=http://www.hebysh.gov.cn/ysjj/zhangguitian.htm |title=河北院士联谊 |work=河北院士联谊会秘书处 |access-date=2007-11-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070914061112/http://www.hebysh.gov.cn/ysjj/zhangguitian.htm |archive-date=2007-09-14 }}</ref>

On June 22, 2006, [[Long Lehao]], deputy chief architect of the lunar probe project, laid out a schedule for China's lunar exploration. He set 2024 as the date of China's first moonwalk.<ref>{{cite news |title=Expert: China could put a man on the moon by 2024 |url=https://www.cnet.com/science/expert-china-could-put-a-man-on-the-moon-by-2024/ |access-date=8 May 2023 |work=CNET |agency=Reuters |date=20 July 2006 |language=en}}</ref>

In September 2010, it was announced that the country is planning to carry out explorations in deep space by sending a man to the Moon by 2025. China also hoped to bring a Moon rock sample back to Earth in 2017, and subsequently build an observatory on the Moon's surface. [[Ye Peijian]], Commander in Chief of the Chang'e program and an academic at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, added that China has the "full capacity to accomplish Mars exploration by 2013."<ref>{{cite news| url=https://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2010/09/28/china-to-beat-india-to-moon/ | work=The Wall Street Journal | title=China a Step Ahead in Space Race | date=September 28, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://frenchtribune.com/teneur/10975-china-send-man-moon-2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125053735/http://frenchtribune.com/teneur/10975-china-send-man-moon-2025 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2010-11-25 |title=China to send man to moon by 2025 |publisher=French Tribune |date=2010-09-21 |access-date=2013-11-16 }}</ref>

On December 14, 2013<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25356603 |title=China lands Jade Rabbit robot rover on Moon |date=14 December 2013 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> China's Chang'e 3 became the first object to [[Soft landing (rocketry)|soft-land]] on the Moon since [[Luna 24]] in 1976.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/china-successfully-completes-first-soft-landing-on-moon-in-37-years/2013/12/14/fad6ffb4-64c6-11e3-af0d-4bb80d704888_story.html| author=Simon Denyer| title=China carries out first soft landing on moon in 37 years| newspaper=Washington Post| date=December 14, 2013}}</ref>

On 20 May 2018, several months before the Chang'e 4 mission, the Queqiao was launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China, on a [[Long March 4C]] rocket.<ref name="nasaspaceflifgt-launch">{{Cite web|last1=Barbosa|first1=Rui|last2=Bergin|first2=Chris|date=2018-05-20|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/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109011332/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/05/queqiao-relay-satellite-launched-change-4-lunar-mission/|archive-date=2020-11-09|access-date=2021-10-17|website=NASASpaceFlight.com|language=en-US}}</ref> The spacecraft took 24 days to reach L<sub>2</sub>, using a [[gravity assist]] at the Moon to save propellant.<ref name="P Society Luyuan Xu">{{cite news |last1=Xu |first1=Luyuan |title=How China's lunar relay satellite arrived in its final orbit |url=http://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs/2018/20180615-queqiao-orbit-explainer.html |work=The Planetary Society |date=15 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017123833/http://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs/2018/20180615-queqiao-orbit-explainer.html |archive-date=17 October 2018}}</ref> On 14 June 2018, Queqiao finished its final adjustment burn and entered the mission orbit, about {{Convert|65000|km||abbr=}} from the Moon. This is the first lunar relay satellite ever placed in this location.<ref name='P Society Luyuan Xu'/>

On January 3, 2019, Chang'e 4, the China National Space Administration's lunar rover, made the first-ever soft landing on the Moon's far side. The rover was able to transmit data back to Earth despite the lack of radio frequencies on the far side, via a dedicated satellite sent earlier to orbit the Moon. Landing and data transmission are considered landmark achievements for human space exploration.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/01/02/health/china-lunar-rover-far-moon-landing-intl/index.html|title=China lunar rover successfully touches down on far side of the moon, state media announces|last1=Rivers|first1=Matt|last2=Regan|first2=Helen|date=3 January 2019|website=CNN|access-date=3 January 2019|last3=Jiang|first3=Steven}}</ref>

Yang Liwei declared at the 16th Human in Space Symposium of International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) in Beijing, on May 22, 2007, that building a lunar base was a crucial step to realize a flight to Mars and farther planets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200705/22/eng20070522_376754.html|title =Astronauts share their experiences|publisher= [[People Daily]]|date=2007-05-22|access-date=May 22, 2007}}</ref>

According to practice, since the whole project is only at a very early preparatory research phase, no official crewed Moon program has been announced yet by the authorities. But its existence is nonetheless revealed by regular intentional leaks in the media.<ref>{{cite web
 |title       = China has no timetable for crewed moon landing
 |url         = http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-11/26/content_7149107.htm
 |publisher   = [[Xinhua News Agency]]
 |date        = 2007-11-26
 |access-date  = 2008-10-07
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090214062852/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-11/26/content_7149107.htm
 |archive-date = 2009-02-14
}}</ref> A typical example is the Lunar Roving Vehicle ({{Zh|s=月球车|labels=no}}) that was shown on a Chinese TV channel ({{Zh|s=东方卫视|labels=no}}) during the 2008 [[International Workers' Day|May Day]] celebrations.

On 23 November 2020, China launched the new Moon mission Chang'e 5, which returned to Earth carrying lunar samples on 16 December 2020. Only two nations, the United States and the former Soviet Union have ever returned materials from the Moon, thus making China the third country to have ever achieved the feat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/23/21594565/china-change-5-mission-lunar-sample-return-long-march-5-launch|title=China launches ambitious mission to bring back samples from the Moon|access-date=23 November 2020|website=The Verge|date=November 23, 2020}}</ref>

China sent [[Chang'e 6]] on 3 May, which conducted the first lunar sample return from the [[far side of the Moon]].<ref name="AJ_FI-20230425"/> This is China's second lunar sample return mission, the first was achieved by [[Chang'e 5]] from the lunar near side 4 years ago.<ref name="auto"/>

===Mission to Mars and beyond===
{{See also|Planetary Exploration of China}}

[[File:Tianwen-1 in Mars orbit.jpg|thumb|alt=Tianwen-1 probe in Mars orbit.|[[Tianwen-1]] probe in Mars orbit.]]
[[File:Tianwen-1 Lander and Zhurong Rover in Southern Utopia Planitia (ESP 069665 2055-1).jpg|thumb|right|alt=''Zhurong'' rover and lander captured by HiRISE from NASA's MRO on June 6, 2021|[[Zhurong (rover)|''Zhurong'' rover]] and lander on Martian surface. Image captured by [[HiRISE]] from [[NASA]]'s ''[[Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter]]'' on 6 June 2021]]

In 2006, the Chief Designer of the Shenzhou spacecraft stated in an interview that:

{{cquote|搞航天工程不是要达成升空之旅, 而是要让人可以正常在太空中工作, 为将来探索火星、土星等作好准备。

Space programs are not aimed at sending humans into space ''per se'', but instead at enabling humans to work normally in space, and prepare for the future exploration of Mars, Saturn, and beyond.|200|100|''[[Chinese Academy of Sciences|CAS]] Academician [[Qi Faren]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scitech.people.com.cn/GB/25892/4028044.html|title=戚发韧：神六后中国航天面临极大挑战|publisher=人 民 网|date=2006-01-15|access-date=May 13, 2008|archive-date=January 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118173944/http://scitech.people.com.cn/GB/25892/4028044.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

[[Sun Laiyan]], administrator of the China National Space Administration, said on July 20, 2006, that China would start deep space exploration focusing on [[Mars]] over the next five years, during the [[Eleventh Five-Year Plan (People's Republic of China)|Eleventh Five-Year Plan]] (2006–2010) Program period.<ref>[http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200607/20/eng20060720_284801.html People's Daily Online - Roundup: China to develop deep space exploration in five years]</ref> In April 2020, the [[Planetary Exploration of China]] program was announced. The program aims to explore planets of the Solar System, starting with Mars, then expanded to include [[ZhengHe (spacecraft)|asteroids and comets]], [[Chinese Jupiter probe|Jupiter]] and more in the future.<ref name="Tianwen-announcement-en">{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |title=China's Mars mission named Tianwen-1, appears on track for July launch |url=https://spacenews.com/chinas-mars-mission-named-tianwen-1-appears-on-track-for-july-launch/ |website=[[SpaceNews]] |access-date=21 May 2021 |date=April 24, 2020}}</ref>

The first mission of the program, [[Tianwen-1]] Mars exploration mission, began on July 23, 2020. A spacecraft, which consisted of an orbiter, a lander, a [[Zhurong (rover)|rover]], a remote and a deployable camera, was launched by a [[Long March 5]] rocket from [[Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site|Wenchang]].<ref name="Tianwen-launch"/> The Tianwen-1 was inserted into Mars orbit in February 2021 after a seven-month journey, followed by a successful soft landing of the lander and Zhurong rover on May 14, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |url=https://spacenews.com/chinas-zhurong-mars-rover-lands-safely-in-utopia-planitia/ |title=China's Zhurong Mars rover lands safely in Utopia Planitia |work=[[SpaceNews]] |date=May 14, 2021 |access-date=21 May 2021}}</ref>

=== Space-based solar power ===
According to the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) presentation at the 2015 International Space Development Congress in Toronto, Canada, Chinese interest in [[space-based solar power]] began in the period 1990–1995. By 2013, there was a national goal, that "the state has decided that power coming from outside of the earth, such as solar power and development of other space energy resources, is to be China's future direction" and the following roadmap was identified: "In 2010, CAST will finish the concept design; in 2020, we will finish the industrial level testing of in-orbit construction and wireless transmissions. In 2025, we will complete the first 100kW SPS demonstration at LEO; and in 2035, the 100MW SPS will have an electric generating capacity. Finally in 2050, the first commercial level SPS system will be in operation at GEO."<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://spacejournal.ohio.edu/issue16/ji.html|title=Online Journal of Space Communication|last1=Communication|first1=Online Journal of Space|website=spacejournal.ohio.edu|access-date=2016-05-22}}</ref>  The article went on to state that "Since SPS development will be a huge project, it will be considered the equivalent of an Apollo program for energy. In the last century, America's leading position in science and technology worldwide was inextricably linked with technological advances associated with the implementation of the Apollo program. Likewise, as China's current achievements in aerospace technology are built upon with its successive generations of satellite projects in space, China will use its capabilities in space science to assure sustainable development of energy from space."<ref name=":2" />

In 2015, the CAST team won the [[International SunSat Design Competition]] with their video of a Multi-Rotary Joint concept.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/XhgJwnpYRGc Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20190110093302/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhgJwnpYRGc&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhgJwnpYRGc|title=Multi-Rotary Joints SPS - 2015 SunSat Design Competition|date=July 22, 2015 |via=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref>  The design was presented in detail in a paper for the Online Journal of Space Communication.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://spacejournal.ohio.edu/issue18/cast.html | title=Online Journal of Space Communication}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://spacejournal.ohio.edu/issue18/cast.html|title=Online Journal of Space Communication|last1=Communication|first1=Online Journal of Space|website=spacejournal.ohio.edu|access-date=2016-05-22}}</ref>

In 2016, Lt Gen. Zhang Yulin, deputy chief of the [[Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission|PLA armament development department of the Central Military Commission]], suggested that China would next begin to exploit Earth-Moon space for industrial development. The goal would be the construction of space-based solar power satellites that would beam energy back to Earth.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Exploiting earth-moon space: China's ambition after space station |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-03/07/c_135164574.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308013331/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-03/07/c_135164574.htm |archive-date=March 8, 2016 |access-date=2016-05-22 |website=news.xinhuanet.com}}</ref>

In June 2021, Chinese officials confirmed the continuation of plans for a geostationary solar power station by 2050. The updated schedule anticipates a small-scale electricity generation test in 2022, followed by a megawatt-level orbital power station by 2030. The gigawatt-level geostationary station will require over 10,000 tonnes of infrastructure, delivered using over 100 Long March 9 launches.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |url=https://spacenews.com/chinas-super-heavy-rocket-to-construct-space-based-solar-power-station/ |title=China's super heavy rocket to construct space-based solar power station |work=[[SpaceNews]] |date=June 28, 2021 |access-date=June 30, 2021}}</ref>