China steps up its ambition to conquer space

On October 16, China announced its medium- and long-term development plan for space science , aiming to guide the country's space science research mission from 2024-2050.

The Shenzhou-16 spacecraft successfully docked with the Tiangong space station on May 30, 2023. (Source: THX)

At a press conference held by the State Council Information Office, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the China National Space Administration and the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced for the first time a national-level science plan, covering 17 priority areas with five major science themes and a three-stage development roadmap.

Speaking at the press conference, CAS Vice President Ding Chibiao said: “The five main scientific topics include extreme cosmology, waves in space-time, the whole solar-Earth system, habitable planets, biological sciences and physics in space.”

The program aims to understand the laws of matter motion and life activities in space conditions to enhance understanding of physics knowledge such as quantum mechanics and general relativity. In addition, the program also provides a roadmap for China's space science development until 2050.

In the first phase, which will last until 2027, China will focus on operating the space station, carrying out exploration and exploration projects on the Moon and other planets. Five to eight scientific satellite missions will be approved during this period.

The China-initiated International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) will be built in the second phase from 2028 to 2035, conducting about 15 scientific satellite missions. In the final phase of the plan, from 2036 to 2050, China will launch more than 30 spacecraft into space.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/trung-quoc-da-y-manh-tham-vong-chinh-phuc-vu-tru-290350.html