Advertisement
Advertisement
TOPIC

China's space programme

China's space programme
The China National Space Administration was founded more than 25 years ago and is overseeing an ambitious programme which includes deep space exploration, a manned space station, and cutting-edge advancements in technology, new materials, robotics and artificial intelligence.
A Long March-7A rocket explodes shortly after lifting off from Wenchang, Hainan province, on Monday night. Photo: Social media screenshot
China's military weapons

China’s latest rocket failure prompts questions about ambitious launch schedule

Long March-7A explodes less than 90 seconds into flight, delaying ChinaSat-4B satellite installation and possibly affecting other programmes.

videocam
70
US-China relations

Crawfish soup on Mars? US Senate hears worries over China’s scientific ambitions

videocam
8
Space

Editorial | With its innovative rocket recovery, China makes strides in the space race

Aerospace: Geopolitics

How is China hunting hidden space rocks that could ‘devastate a small country’?

Beijing will use ground telescopes and orbital satellites to track dangerous space rocks that currently go undetected.

videocam
32
While scientists believe the vast majority of near-Earth asteroids over 1km wide have been detected, most space rocks under 140 metres wide are yet to be spotted, but could cause catastrophic damage if they hit Earth. Photo: Shutterstock
Science

China used a giant net to land a reusable rocket. Does the idea have legs?

It’s an unconventional approach that has sparked debate over how it stacks up against America’s landing-leg system.

videocam
21
China’s private sector

One giant leap for the state: how China’s aerospace model differs from SpaceX

Friday’s retrieval of a rocket booster made China the second nation to master the precision recovery of an orbital-class rocket component.

videocam
22
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Science

China joins US in reusable orbital rocket capability

The successful capture of the booster stage of a Long March-10B rocket is a first step on the road to narrowing the decade-long head start of Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

Photo: Xinhua via AP
IPO

The new space race: how China plans to break SpaceX’s dominance with IPO push

As Beijing makes history by capturing the Long March-10B booster at sea, at least 15 aerospace firms are racing to go public on Shanghai’s Star Market or in Hong Kong.

5
China shipbuilding

China’s historic sea-based rocket recovery puts spotlight on local shipbuilder

Unlike conventional vessels, the platform must maintain exceptional stability and positioning accuracy in rough seas.

Japan

Nasa knows how to deflect an asteroid. Can Japan’s Hayabusa2 pull it off?

Analysts say the Torifune fly-by highlights Tokyo’s growing role in global space safety efforts and its ‘goodwill science’ policy.

videocam
The Hayabusa2 space probe makes a close fly-by of the asteroid Torifune, in this illustration by Akihiro Ikeshita. Photo: Ikeshita/JAXA/Kyodo
Science

Long March-10B: China’s net-capture rocket joins space race with edge on SpaceX

Soon after launch, the first stage of the rocket returned vertically and was recovered via a sea platform, state media says.

videocam
90
China has succeeded in recovering the reusable rocket used in the maiden launch of the Long March-10B. Photo: Weibo/萌虎鲸
Science

China’s asteroid hunter nears target after 400 days, though size is a surprise

Tianwen-2 spacecraft is equipped with varying sampling modes to perform best in uncertain terrain of 2016 HO3 asteroid.

videocam
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong-developed ‘Eye for Space’ now operating aboard Tiangong space station

Hong Kong’s first home-grown astronaut, Lai Ka-ying, assembled and tested the Multi-Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory.

videocam
Science

China revives desert moss in space lab as it tests hi-tech tools for missions

Latest in-orbit results from prototype Qingzhou cargo spacecraft show China is testing cameras, refrigeration and bio-support capsule.

videocam
China’s prototype Qingzhou experimental cargo spacecraft and two small satellites were launched on March 30. Photo: CAS Innovation Academy for Microsatellites
Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Can Hong Kong make a giant leap to commercial space insurance?

The explosive growth of China’s commercial space business, combined with geopolitical realities, gives the city a captive market.

videocam
4
Illustration: Craig Stephens
Hong Kong science and tech

Hongkongers to get chance to talk to city’s first astronaut in next 2 months

‘I hope that within the next month or two, we can arrange a public dialogue with Lai Ka-ying,’ technology minister Sun Dong says.

videocam
US-China tech war

Who pays when rockets explode? China rushes to insure SpaceX’s rivals

Wave of Chinese insurers is underwriting rockets and satellites, turning space risk into a new front in the China-US rivalry.

4
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Hong Kong’s first astronaut shows world a different side to the city

The opportunity is to turn a moment of scientific achievement into a new way for visitors to engage with Hong Kong and its future.

videocam
5
Shenzhou-23 crew members (from right) Lai Ka-ying, Zhu Yangzhu and Zhang Zhiyuan. Photo: Handout/Xinhua
Science

China delivers first samples collected from far side of the moon to Russia

The rocks were collected during the Chang’e-6 mission and the handover is the first time foreign scientists will have a chance to study them.

videocam
Hong Kong youth

Opinion | Hong Kong’s first astronaut success is also a story of youth potential

Hongkongers and the city’s universities can play a meaningful role in China’s space programme. The sky is not the limit.

videocam
Space

Opinion | US-China rivalry is making Asia’s space economy more confrontational

Outer space is growing beyond a scientific frontier to become a forum for contests over sovereignty and economic security.

videocam
A rocket carrying China’s Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceship launches from a satellite launch centre in Gansu province on May 24. Photo: Kyodo
Hong Kong science and tech

Hong Kong may host Shenzhou-23 crew in 2027, including astronaut Lai Ka-ying

Tech chief Sun Dong also says new space manufacturing research centre focusing on AI and 3D printing will be established this year.

videocam
(From left) Lai Ka-ying, Zhang Zhiyuan and Zhu Yangzhu at the mission send-off ceremony at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwestern China. Photo: Xinhua
Science

Editorial | One small step, one giant leap for Hong Kong’s space economy

When space missions are no longer distant goals for the nation and the city, there is no reason not to aim higher.

Hong Kong society

Beijing hails Hong Kong astronaut’s selection as result of ‘one country, two systems’

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs says space mission will inspire more young people in Hong Kong to support country’s technological development.

Hong Kong science and tech

How Hong Kong’s first astronaut triggered a space education race

Lai Ka-ying’s selection spurs interest in aerospace and satellite-design courses at centre, as industry leaders call for blueprint.

videocam
Astronaut Lai Ka-ying waves to onlookers earlier this week as she prepares to journey into space. Photo: Reuters
China’s Communist Party

China says jailed aerospace engineer was lured into spying for foreign agency

State media says accused received US$88,000 after he ‘fell step by step into the trap laid’ by an unidentified spy organisation.

videocam
An aerospace engineer accused of leaking Chinese state secrets has been sentenced to 15 years in jail, according to CCTV. Photo: Getty Images
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s first astronaut has done city proud but now what else is needed?

Steps needed to turn short-term excitement surrounding Lai’s Shenzhou-23 mission into long-term talent pipeline, academic says.

videocam
Hong Kong society

Leaving family hardest part of Lai Ka-ying’s space mission, sister says

Elder sister Lai Ka-man says she is most looking forward to family union when astronaut returns so they can enjoy egg waffles together.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement