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The latest news, analysis and opinion on Space. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
LATEST China Science NEWS

Chinese satellite posed no danger but gave US observers ‘spectacular’ light show

Experts believe a fireball spotted over the US on Saturday was the remains of a Gaojing Superview 1-02, one of a cluster of satellites launched by China in December 2016. Photo: CCTV

Chinese EV industry’s lithium demand fuels research into ‘low-quality’ sources

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Researchers in China have written a paper examining the effectiveness of innovations in extracting lithium from challenging sources, including salt lakes. Photo: Shutterstock

China-born biologist Wang Cunyu returns from decades in US to head institute

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Wang Cunyu, a member of the US National Academy of Medicine, left China for the US in 1990. He has returned to develop Peking University’s Institute of Advanced Clinical Medicine. Photo: Handout

Chinese village’s sinkhole nightmare continues with kitchen floor collapse

The gaping sinkhole that appeared in the middle of Hu Yuzhen’s kitchen floor in a village in Guizou province, southwest China on December 9. Photo: Weibo / 红星新闻

Chinese scientists look at desert ant to create ultra-thin light sensor chip

Photoreceptor cells in desert ants’ eyes helps them to find their way across barren deserts without landmarks. Photo: Shutterstock
MORE China Science NEWS
An artist’s rendering of the Parker Solar Probe approaching the Sun. Photo: Steve Gribben/Johns Hopkins APL/Nasa/AP
United States

Nasa probe makes closest ever pass by the Sun on Christmas Eve

This daring mission aims to unlock the Sun’s mysteries, and improve space-weather forecasts.

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Japan

Japan brewery aims to make world’s first space sake, sell it for US$640,000

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Science

How the launch of China’s GuoWang satellites differs from its US Starlink rival

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Donald Trump

Meet Jared Isaacman, Trump’s pick for Nasa head and a friend to Elon Musk

Isaacman has led and funded two SpaceX missions to date – now, US president-elect Donald Trump has tapped him to head Nasa as the agency moves towards more commercial operations.

Meet Trump’s pick to head Nasa, Jared Isaacman, who founded his first unicorn start-up at 16, was the first civilian to perform a spacewalk and is tight with Elon Musk. Photo: @rookisaacman/X
China's space programme

Hong Kong scientists to build robot for China’s Chang’e-8 moon mission

Researchers from HKUST will lead team to develop lunar surface robot that will help pave way for research facility at moon’s south pole.

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China's space programme

Editorial | Science the winner as Chinese astronauts spacewalk to record

Hi-tech advances in spacesuits resulting from previous missions helped make the nine-hour feat possible.

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Science

Chinese astronauts complete world record-breaking spacewalk at 9 hours

Shenzhou-19 crew members Cai Xuzhe and Song Lingdong installed space protection devices and conducted maintenance outside Tiangong.

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Shenzhou-19 astronaut Song Lingdong waves during the record-breaking nine-hour spacewalk in a screen image captured at the Beijing Aerospace Control Centre on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua
Chinese culture

Opinion | China’s scientific breakthroughs can lead to linguistic ones too

While English is used in most global scientific exchanges, publishing more papers in Chinese could facilitate linguistic innovation and inclusion.

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Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong students to learn about Chinese science feats in subject revamp plan

Draft of updated junior secondary subject aims to help students ‘recognise’ country’s contributions to science, space exploration.

Science

Chinese space defence expert Zhang Xiaoxin dies in car crash in Beijing

Zhang, 62, a pioneer in China’s space weather sector, is remembered for his outstanding contribution to monitoring and warning technology.

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Zhang Xiaoxin, who died on Sunday, was a pioneer in China’s space weather sector and left a mark in space, aviation and communications and China’s serviced space missions. Photo: Handout
Tourism

Eclipse-chasing on Easter Island, amid the moai statues

An eclipse-chaser visited Rapa Nui to enjoy a mystical experience: the island’s first ‘ring of fire’ since 1788, viewed from among its mysterious stone heads.

Rano Raraku is home to Rapa Nui’s iconic buried heads. Photo: Jamie Carter
Science

China launches first satellites for GuoWang project to rival SpaceX’s Starlink

The 13,000-satellite megaconstellation aims to provide global broadband internet coverage.

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Japan

Japan’s Space One delays Kairos rocket launch again: media

Strong winds have delayed the launch by another 24 hours.

United States

Elon Musk wants to turn SpaceX Starbase into a new Texas city

Boca Chica site is the primary location where SpaceX builds and launches its huge Starship rocket system.

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The launchpad at Starbase, in Boca Chica, Texas. File photo: Maxar Technologies via AFP
Malaysia

‘Unbelievable’: Malaysia’s space defence plan sparks outrage in flood aftermath

The system would eventually also incorporate rocket and missile capabilities operated out of space for defence.

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Residents ride a boat in a flooded area in Rantau Panjang, Malaysia’s Kelantan state, on December 3. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Chinese citizen arrested for flying drone over US Space Force base

Yinpiao Zhou is alleged to have recorded images of the Vandenberg military facility, where missions, including those by SpaceX, are launched.

Science

The English impediment: why Chinese scientists can’t use Chinese

In the world of science, English is the standard language. But could this be limiting talented Chinese academics?

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Iran

Iran says it conducted a successful space launch

Rocket carried an ‘orbital propulsion system’ and research payloads to a 400km orbit above the Earth.

Iranian satellite carrier ‘Simorgh’ blasting off in January. File photo: Iran’s Ministry of Defence via Reuters
Donald Trump

Trump picks billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman to lead Nasa

The tech CEO is a close collaborator with Elon Musk, and took part in the world’s first commercial spacewalk with SpaceX.

China's space programme

What’s the state of China’s ‘space economy’ as commercial launches intensify?

Chasing the success of SpaceX, China’s commercial space industry is eyeing lofty gains despite setbacks and technological constraints.

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Chinese culture

Why the coming Year of the Wood Snake could be lucky

With 12 animals and 5 elements, the Year of the Wood Snake comes around every 60 years, and 2025’s may be more favourable than 1965’s.

A snake at a farm in Bangkok, Thailand. The next lunar new year will be a Year of the Wood Snake, which comes around every 60 years. The previous one, in 1965, saw dynamic change and upheaval. Are we in for more of the same? Photo: Getty Images
Science

China declares space milestone in launch of ‘self-driving’ radar satellites

Mapping satellites expected to provide data on natural resources, urban safety, emergency response and maritime affairs.

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On Monday, a Long March-2C carrier rocket carrying two satellites blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre to send Siwei Gaojing-2 03 and 04 into the preset orbit. Photo: Xinhua
Science

Earth bids farewell to temporary ‘mini moon’ that is possibly a chunk of actual moon

A 10-metre asteroid that was possibly ejected from the moon is departing its journey near Earth – but will return for a closer visit in January.

US presidential election 2024

Musk’s SpaceX fails to repeat Starship booster ‘chopsticks’ catch, as Trump looks on

Super Heavy booster made an unexpected splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico instead being caught in the launch tower’s mechanical arms.

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Old Hong Kong

That time Hong Kong almost caught its first live telecast from Apollo 12

The event drew the largest viewing audience in the city yet, but the sound was indistinct, the screen motionless: nothing happened.

Charles “Pete” Conrad Jr stands with the US flag on the lunar surface during the Apollo 12 mission, in 1969. Photo: Nasa/Handout
Science

How a Chinese spacecraft will catch Mars rock samples for journey to Earth

A lightweight device on an orbiting module will capture a container about the size of a coffee can.

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As China gets closer to launch date for its Tianwen-3 Mars mission, scientists have designed a device to safely capture rock samples for the all-important return back to Earth. Photo: Shutterstock
Science

World first as Chinese sample reveals ‘young’ volcanic activity on moon’s far side

Chinese and US scientists have come up with some surprising results after testing rock samples collected by the Chang’e-6 lunar mission.

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SCMP Highlights

Recap | Musk casts shadow on China’s space ambitions, moon sample swap stalls and more space news

US-China space rivalry, stalled moon sample swap talks, Shenzhou’s pioneering female space flight engineer and more latest China space news.

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