Editing Chinese space program (section)

===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>