Editing Chinese space program (section)

==List of launchers and projects==

===Launch vehicles===

==== Active or under development ====
* [[Air-Launched SLV]] able to place a 50 kilogram plus payload to 500&nbsp;km [[Sun-synchronous orbit|SSO]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2006-11/01/content_5274571.htm|title=空射运载火箭亮相珠海航展|publisher=[[新华网]]|date=2006-11-01|access-date=May 3, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080207113726/http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2006-11/01/content_5274571.htm|archive-date=February 7, 2008}}</ref>
* [[Galactic Energy|Ceres-1]] small-lift solid-fueled launch vehicle from private firm (relatively high launch cadence)
* [[Orienspace|Gravity-1]] medium-lift sea-launched solid fuel launch vehicle under development 
* [[i-Space (Chinese company)#Hyperbola-1|Hyperbola-1]] small-lift solid-fueled launch vehicle from private firm
* [[i-Space (Chinese company)|Hyperbola-3]] medium-lift liquid-fueled (methalox) launch vehicle with reusable first stage (VTVL) from private firm currently under development
* [[Jielong 3]] small to medium-lift solid fueled launch vehicle currently in service
*[[Kaituozhe (rocket family)#Kaituozhe-1|Kaituozhe-1A]] ({{Zh|labels=no|s=开拓者一号甲}})
* [[Kuaizhou]] quick-reaction small-lift solid fuel launch vehicle
* [[CAS Space|Lijian-1]] small to medium-lift solid fuel launch vehicle currently in service (by the commercial spin-off of the [[Chinese Academy of Sciences]])
* [[CAS Space|Lijian-2]] medium-lift launch vehicle utilizing liquid fuel (kerolox) with reusable first stage under development
* [[Long March 2 rocket family|CZ-2E(A)]] Intended for launch of Chinese space station modules. Payload capacity up to 14 tons in LEO and 9000 (kN) liftoff thrust developed by 12 rocket engines, with enlarged fairing of 5.20 m in diameter and length of 12.39 m to accommodate large spacecraft<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cardc.cn/show_field.asp?wt_id=2&field_name=WT_PROJECT |title=CZ-2EA地面风载试验 |publisher=[[中国空气动力研究与发展中心]] |date=2008-02-04 |access-date=June 30, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213163801/http://www.cardc.cn/show_field.asp?wt_id=2&field_name=WT_PROJECT |archive-date=February 13, 2009 }}</ref>
* [[Long March 2 rocket family|CZ-2F/G]] Modified [[CZ-2F]] without escape tower, specially used for launching robotic missions such as Shenzhou cargo and space laboratory module with payload capacity up to 11.2 tons in LEO<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scitech.people.com.cn/GB/7425999.html|title=独家："神八"将用改进型火箭发射 2010年左右首飞|publisher=人民网|date=June 25, 2008|access-date=June 26, 2008|archive-date=June 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610101726/http://scitech.people.com.cn/GB/7425999.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Long March 3 rocket family|CZ-3B(A)]] More powerful Long March rockets using larger-size liquid propellant strap-on motors, with payload capacity up to 13 tons in LEO
* [[Long March 3C|CZ-3C]] Launch vehicle combining [[Long March 3 rocket family|CZ-3B]] core with two boosters from [[Long March 2 rocket family|CZ-2E]]
* [[Long March 4C]]
* [[Long March 5 rocket family|CZ-5]] heavy-lift hydrolox launch vehicle (with kerolox boosters)
* [[Long March 5|CZ-5B]] variant of the CZ-5 for low Earth orbit payloads (up to 25 tonnes to [[low Earth orbit|LEO]])
* [[Chang Zheng 6|CZ-6]] or Small Launch Vehicle; small-lift kerolox LV with short launch preparation period, low cost and high reliability, to meet the launch need of small satellites up to 500&nbsp;kg to 700&nbsp;km [[Sun synchronous orbit|SSO]], first flight for 2010; with [[Fan Ruixiang]] ({{Zh|labels=no|s=范瑞祥}}) as Chief designer of the project<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rensb.com/showarticle.php?articleID=9325 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715172931/http://www.rensb.com/showarticle.php?articleID=9325 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-07-15 |title=让年轻人与航天事业共同成长 |publisher=中国人事报 |date=2008-03-14 |access-date=July 19, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=中国科学技术协会|year=2007|title=航天科学技术学科发展报告|page=17|url=http://mallimg.sina.com.cn/p/bookuu/001/704/PD_1704953L.jpg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911054009/http://mallimg.sina.com.cn/p/bookuu/001/704/PD_1704953L.jpg|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-09-11|publisher=中国科学技术协会出版社|location=[[Beijing]], PRC|isbn=978-7504648662}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.people.com.cn/GB/5971395.html|title=国际空间大学公众论坛关注中国航天（3）|publisher=[[People Daily]]|date=2007-07-11|access-date=July 13, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303182108/http://news.people.com.cn/GB/5971395.html|archive-date=March 3, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Chang Zheng 7|CZ-7]] medium-lift kerolox launch vehicle for launching resupply missions to the [[Tiangong space station]]
* [[Long March 8|CZ-8]] medium-lift launch vehicle mainly for launching payloads to [[Sun-synchronous orbit|SSO]] orbits
* [[Long March 9|CZ-9]] super heavy-lift launch vehicle with a LEO lift capability of 150 tonnes currently under development (planned to be fully reusable in time)
* [[Long March 10|CZ-10]] crew-rated super-heavy launch vehicle for crewed lunar missions under development
* [[Long March 10|CZ-10A]] crew-rated medium-lift launch vehicle for launching the [[next-generation crewed spacecraft]] to [[low Earth orbit|LEO]]s  with reusable first stage currently under development
* [[Long March 11|CZ-11]] small-lift solid fuel quick-response launch vehicle
* [[Pallas-1]] reusable (1st stage) medium-lift liquid fuel (kerolox) launch vehicle by private firm currently under development
* [[Project 921-3#Reusable launch vehicle|Project 921-3 Reusable launch vehicle]] current project of the reusable shuttle system.
* [[Project 921-3#Tengyun|Tengyun]] another current project of two wing-staged reusable shuttle system
* [[Chinese reusable experimental spacecraft|Reusable spaceplane]] reusable vertically-launched spaceplane with wings that lands on a runway and currently in service (speculated to be similar to the US [[X-37|X-37B]] in form and function)
* [[Space Pioneer#Rockets|Tianlong 2]] medium-lift kerolox launch vehicle from private firm (in service)
* [[Space Pioneer#Rockets|Tianlong 3]] medium to heavy-lift kerolox launch vehicle with reusable first stage from private firm currently under development
* [[Zhuque-2]] medium-lift liquid fuel (methalox) launch vehicle by private firm currently in service (first methane fueled rocket in the world to reach space and to reach orbit with payload)
* [[LandSpace Technology Corporation#Zhuque-3|Zhuque-3]] medium to heavy-lift methalox launch vehicle by private firm with reusable first stage currently under development

==== Cancelled/retired ====

* [[Long March 1 rocket family|CZ-1D]] based on a [[Long March 1 rocket family|CZ-1]] but with a new N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/UDMH second stage.
* [[Project 921-3#869 Project|Project 869]] reusable shuttle system with Tianjiao-1 or Chang Cheng-1 (Great Wall-1) orbiters. Project of 1980s-1990s.

===Satellites and science missions===
*[[Space-Based ASAT System]] small and nano-satellites developed by the [[Small Satellite Research Institute]] of the [[Chinese Academy of Space Technology]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.qq.com/a/20040719/000483.htm|title=中国深空前沿:军事潜力巨大的小卫星研究(组图)|publisher=腾讯新闻|date=2004-07-19|access-date=May 3, 2008}}</ref>
* The [[Double Star Mission]] comprised two satellites launched in 2003 and 2004, jointly with [[ESA]], to study the Earth's magnetosphere.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=41400|title=The first Sino-European satellite completes its mission|date=16 Oct 2007|publisher=ESA|access-date=29 September 2011}}</ref>
* [[Earth observation]], [[remote sensing]] or [[reconnaissance satellites]] series: [[CBERS]], [[Dongfanghong program]], [[Fanhui Shi Weixing]], [[Yaogan]] and [[Ziyuan 3]].
* [[Tianlian I]] telecommunication satellite
* [[Tianlian II]] ({{Zh|labels=no|s=天链二号}}) Next generation [[data relay satellite]] (DRS) system, based on the DFH-4 satellite bus, with two satellites providing up to 85% coverage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.war-sky.com/forum/attachment/Day_080608/18_119674_4b019c8d4e1a0d2.jpg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183648/http://www.war-sky.com/forum/attachment/Day_080608/18_119674_4b019c8d4e1a0d2.jpg|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-03-03|title=我国现役和研制中的卫星与飞船谱系图:上排右一会不会是TL-2|publisher=虚幻天空|date=2008-06-08| access-date=June 8, 2008}}</ref>
* [[Beidou navigation system]] or Compass Navigation Satellite System, composed of 60 to 70 satellites, during the "[[Eleventh Five-Year Plan (People's Republic of China)|Eleventh Five-Year Plan]]" period (2006–2010).<ref>{{cite web| url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200705/23/eng20070523_377222.html|title=China constructs space information "highway"| publisher=[[People Daily]]|date=2007-05-23|access-date=May 23, 2007}}</ref>
* [[Astrophysics]] research, with the launch of the world's largest [[Solar Space Telescope]] in 2008, and ''Project 973'' [[Space Hard X-Ray Modulation Telescope]] ({{Zh|s=硬X射线调制望远镜|labels=no}}) by 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hxmt.cn/chinese/engineering/instruments.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107055232/http://www.hxmt.cn/chinese/engineering/instruments.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-01-07 |title=硬X射线调制望远镜HXMT |publisher=硬X射线天文望远镜项目组 |date=2004-04-16 |access-date=July 14, 2008 }}</ref>
* [[Chinese Deep Space Network]] with the completion of the [[Five hundred meter Aperture Spherical Telescope|FAST]], the world's largest single dish [[radio antenna]] of 500 m in Guizhou, and a 3000&nbsp;km [[VLBI]] radio antenna.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cbsf.ihep.ac.cn/FAST/ |title=500米口径球面射电望远镜（FAST） |publisher=中科院大科学装置办公室 |date=2008-04-21 |access-date=June 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211020617/http://cbsf.ihep.ac.cn/FAST/ |archive-date=February 11, 2009 }}</ref>
* A ''[[Deep Impact (spacecraft)|Deep Impact]]''-style mission to test process of re-directing the direction of an asteroid or comet.<ref>{{cite web|agency=Reuters |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1163067.cms |title=After US, China plans 'Deep Impact' mission |work=The Economic Times |access-date=2013-11-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050830003558/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1163067.cms |archive-date=August 30, 2005 }}</ref>

===Space exploration===
==== Crewed LEO Program ====
* [[Project 921-1]] – [[Shenzhou spacecraft]].
* [[Tiangong program|Tiangong]] - first three crewed Chinese Space Laboratories.
* [[Project 921-2]] – permanent crewed modular [[Chinese Space Station]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.war-sky.com/forum/attachment/Day_060213/18_73854_55e8d6f6ee99d99.jpg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307090022/http://www.war-sky.com/forum/attachment/day_060213/18_73854_55e8d6f6ee99d99.jpg|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-03-07|title=中国空间实验室|publisher=虚幻军事天空|date=2006-02-13|access-date=July 9, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.war-sky.com/forum/attachment/Day_070714/18_8281_9a09f3402611e73.jpg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303203549/http://www.war-sky.com/forum/attachment/Day_070714/18_8281_9a09f3402611e73.jpg|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-03-03|title=中国航天921-III计划|publisher=虚幻军事天空|date=2008-07-15| access-date=April 28, 2008}}</ref>
* [[Tianzhou (spacecraft)|Tianzhou]] – robotic cargo vessel to resupply the Chinese Space Station, based on the design of [[Tiangong-1]], not meant for reentry, but usable for garbage disposal.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/China_expects_to_launch_cargo_ship_into_space_around_2016_999.html |title= China expects to launch cargo ship into space around 2016 |date= 6 March 2014 |publisher= Space Daily }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/The_Next_Tiangong_999.html |title= The Next Tiangong |author= Morris Jones |date= 3 March 2014 |publisher= Space Daily }}</ref>
* [[Next-generation crewed spacecraft]] ({{Zh|labels=no|s=货运飞船}}) – upgrade version of the Shenzhou spacecraft to resupply the Chinese Space Station and return cargo back to Earth.
* [[Next-generation crewed spacecraft|Project 921-11 – X-11 reusable spacecraft]] for Project 921-2 Space Station.
* Tianjiao-1 or Chang Cheng-1 (Great Wall-1) - winged spaceplane orbiters of [[Project 921-3#869 Project|Project 869]] reusable shuttle system. Project of 1980s-1990s.
* [[Shenlong (spacecraft)|Shenlong]] - winged spaceplane orbiter of current [[Project 921-3]] reusable shuttle system.
* [[Project 921-3#Tengyun|Tengyun]] - winged spaceplane orbiter in another current project of two wing-staged reusable shuttle system.
* [[Project 921-3#HTS Maglev Launch Assist Technology|HTS Maglev Launch Assist Space Shuttle]] - winged spaceplane orbiter in another current shuttle project.

==== Chinese Lunar Exploration Program ====
* '''First phase''', [[Chang'e 1]] and [[Chang'e 2]] – launched in 2007 and 2010
* '''Second phase''', [[Chang'e 3]] and [[Chang'e 4]] – launched in 2013 and 2018
* '''Third phase''', [[Chang'e 5-T1]] (completed in 2014) and [[Chang'e 5]] – (completed in 2020)
* '''Fourth phase''', [[Chang'e 6]] (sample-return from lunar far-side in May-June 2024), [[Chang'e 7]] and [[Chang'e 8]] – will explore the south pole for natural resources; may 3D-print a structure using regolith. 
* '''Crewed mission''': by the year 2030, – [[Chinese Lunar Exploration Program#Crewed mission phase|crewed lunar missions]] employing the [[next-generation crewed spacecraft]] and the [[Chinese crewed lunar lander|crewed lunar lander]]

==== Deep Space Exploration Program ====
{{see also|Planetary Exploration of China}}
China's first deep space probe, the [[Yinghuo-1]] orbiter, was launched in November 2011 along with the joint [[Fobos-Grunt]] mission with Russia, but the rocket failed to leave Earth orbit and both probes underwent destructive re-entry on 15 January 2012.<ref>{{cite news|title=Russian Mars Spacecraft Reentry Imminent|date=January 15, 2012|publisher=NBC News|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna46003874|access-date=May 15, 2023}}</ref>

In 2018, Chinese researchers proposed a deep space exploration roadmap to explore Mars, an asteroid, Jupiter, and further targets, within the 2020–2030 timeframe.<ref name="Planning2030">{{cite journal |last1=Xu |first1=Lin |last2=Zou |first2=Yongliao |last3=Jia |first3=Yingzhuo |url=http://epizodsspace.airbase.ru/bibl/inostr-yazyki/Chinese_Journal_of_Space_Science/2018/5/Xu_et_al_China's_Planning_---_before_2030_Chin_J_Space_Sci_38_(2018).pdf |title= China's planning for deep space exploration and lunar exploration before 2030 |journal=Chinese Journal of Space Science |date=2018 |volume=38 |issue=5 |pages=591–592 |doi=10.11728/cjss2018.05.591|bibcode=2018ChJSS..38..591X |s2cid=256881663 }}</ref><ref name="2018UNOOSA">{{Citation |last1=Wang |first1=F. |contribution-url=http://www.unoosa.org/documents/pdf/copuos/2018/copuos2018tech19E.pdf |contribution=China's Cooperation Plan on Lunar and Deep Space Exploration |title=Sixty-first session (2018) of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space |publisher=[[United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs|UNOOSA]] |date=27 June 2018 |access-date=23 January 2019}}.</ref> Current and upcoming robotic missions include:
* '''[[Chinese Deep Space Network]]''' relay satellites, for deep-space communication and exploration support network.
* '''[[Tianwen-1]]''', launched on 23 July 2020 with arrival at Mars on 10 February 2021. Mission includes an orbiter, a deployable and remote camera, a lander, and the [[Zhurong (rover)|''Zhurong'' rover]].<ref name="Planning2030" />
* '''[[Tianwen-2]]''', formerly ''ZhengHe'', launched on 29 May 2025. Mission goals include asteroid [[Planetary flyby|flyby observations]], [[Remote sensing|global remote sensing]], [[Lander (spacecraft)|robotic landing]], and [[Sample-return mission|sample return]].<ref name="Planning2030" /> ''Tianwen-2'' is now in active development.<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 |language=en}}</ref>
* '''[[Interstellar Express]]''', targeting for launch around 2024–2025 for ''Interstellar Heliosphere Probe-1'' (IHP-1) and around 2025–2026 for ''Interstellar Heliosphere Probe-2'' (IHP-2). Mission objectives include exploration of the heliosphere and interstellar space.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |title=China to launch a pair of spacecraft towards the edge of the solar system |url=https://spacenews.com/china-to-launch-a-pair-of-spacecraft-towards-the-edge-of-the-solar-system/ |access-date=29 April 2021 |work=SpaceNews |date=16 April 2021}}</ref> Also to become the first non-NASA probes to [[List of artificial objects leaving the Solar System|leave the Solar System]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Song |first1=Jianlan |title="Interstellar Express": A Possible Successor of Voyagers |url=http://www.bcas.cas.cn/infocus/201911/t20191111_223051.html |website=InFocus |publisher=Chinese Academy of Sciences |access-date=29 April 2021}}</ref>
* '''[[Tianwen-3|Mars Sample Return Mission]]''', planned for launch around 2028–2030.<ref name="2018UNOOSA" /><ref name="gbtimes20170714">{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |url=https://gbtimes.com/mars-asteroids-ganymede-and-uranus-chinas-deep-space-exploration-plan-2030-and-beyond |title=Mars, asteroids, Ganymede and Uranus: China's deep space exploration plan to 2030 and beyond |website=GBTimes |date=14 July 2017 |access-date=23 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124102115/https://gbtimes.com/mars-asteroids-ganymede-and-uranus-chinas-deep-space-exploration-plan-2030-and-beyond |archive-date=January 24, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Mission goals include [[In situ#Space-related|in-situ]] topography and soil composition analysis, deep interior investigations to probe the planet's origins and geologic evolution, and sample return.<ref name="Planning2030" /> As of December 2019, the plan is for two launches to be conducted during the November 2028 Earth-to-Mars launch window: a sample collection lander with Mars ascent vehicle on a [[Long March 3B]], and an Earth Return Orbiter on a [[Long March 5]], with samples returning to Earth in September 2031. Earlier plans implemented the mission in a single launch using the [[Long March 9]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |url=https://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs/2017/20171219-china-mars-sample-return-plans.html |title=A closer look at China's audacious Mars sample return plans |work=[[The Planetary Society]] |date=19 December 2019 |access-date=13 December 2019}}</ref>
* '''[[Tianwen-4|Jupiter System orbiter]]''', mission goals include orbital [[exploration of Jupiter]] and its [[Galilean moons|four largest moons]] (with a focus on [[Callisto (moon)|Callisto]] by orbiting this Jovian moon), study of the [[magnetohydrodynamics]] in the Jupiter system, and investigation of the internal composition of Jupiter's atmosphere and moons,<ref name="Planning2030" /><ref name="gbtimes20170714" />
* A '''[[Tianwen-4|fly-by of Uranus]]''' is planned as part of the 2029-2030 [[Tianwen-4]] mission. The Uranus fly-by probe will detach from the Jupiter orbiter while in interplanetary space and proceed to a separate encounter with Uranus during the 2040s.