By 
May 1st, 2026
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Expect new breakthroughs in China’s space exploration program in the near future.
Leading researchers at the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) note that critical space missions are scheduled this year and next.
China will launch its latest lunar probe and its Hubble-class Xuntian Space Telescope, as well as hundreds of satellites to support its Guowang broadband constellation.
Artistic view of China’s Xuntian space telescope. Image credit: CGTN/Inside Outer Space screengrab
“This year, we will send the Chang’e-7 probe to the Moon. There will be another space station mission next year, which might be the most valuable space station project in the history of science, and it will be launched by the Long March-5B rocket,” rocket designer Feng Shaowei from China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology of the CASC told China Central Television (CCTV).
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Upcoming lunar exploration
Chang’e-7 will explore the Moon’s south pole, focusing on locating water ice and other resources in anticipation of a crewed lunar landing in the future.
Chang’e-7 artwork. Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
According to CCTV, China’s Tiangong space station will continue to carry out its wide-ranging experimental research, both inside the station’s laboratories and outside its walls, with the use of robotic arms.
These arms are often used for research in exposing materials to space, but increasingly, they are also used to carry out complex logistical tasks, from collecting space cargo crafts to rearranging the station’s solar arrays.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
New station modules
Hou Yongqing, a space station systems expert from China Academy of Space Technology of the CASC, told CCTV that in the future, the country’s space station may see the addition of more modules to expand application capabilities. “At the same time, we will enhance the capabilities of our robotic arms, enabling them to perform even more complex tasks,” Hou said.
According to the CASC aerospace scientists, the coming years could even see China become the second country ever to put astronauts on the Moon.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
New crewed spacecraft
“One thing we look forward to is seeing the new generation of crewed spacecraft flying into space, building a brand-new round-trip transportation platform between Earth and space for astronauts,” said Shao Limin, an expert in crewed spacecraft systems of China Academy of Space Technology.
“Our manned lunar exploration project has also been making steady progress in recent years. In the near future, we will witness the footprints of the Chinese people left on the lunar surface,” said Shao.
Go to this newly released CCTV video at:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1245248530697645
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Posted in Space News
