On 15 October 2003, the Long March 2F rocket successfully launched the Shenzhou 5 spacecraft, carrying China's first astronaut into space. China became the third nation with independent human spaceflight capability, after the Soviet Union /Russia and the United States.

China has one of the most active space programs in the world. With space launch capability provided by the Long March rocket family and four spaceports (Jiuquan, Taiyuan, Xichang, Wenchang) within its border, China conducts either the highest or the second highest number of orbital launches each year.

Mar 5, 2024 · The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) plans to launch four-meter and five-meter-diameter reusable rockets for the first time in 2025 and 2026 respectively, Wang Wei, a...

Feb 4, 2025 · HELSINKI — China will launch a pair of low-cost space station resupply spacecraft this year on new commercial launch vehicles, highlighting advances for the country’s space ecosystem. The ...

Dec 4, 2024 · HELSINKI — A Chinese commercial launch firm launched its first upgraded Kuaizhou-1A rocket late Tuesday, adding to the country’s growing light-lift launch options.

Aug 9, 2024 · One of China’s Long March 6A rockets has broken apart in low-Earth orbit and created a debris cloud consisting of hundreds of pieces, according to multiple space debris-tracking entities.

Dec 18, 2024 · China has started building its second enormous satellite-internet constellation in low Earth orbit (LEO). A Long March 5B rocket lifted off from Wenchang Space Launch Center on the island of...

Nov 8, 2024 · At least one Chinese company is already working to create its own version of SpaceX's workhorse Falcon 9, which has launched more than 100 orbital missions this year. And it was revealed this...

Sep 13, 2024 · Both the Chinese spacecraft that recently returned to Earth and the US’ X-37B, which has conducted seven missions since its 2010 debut, are launched on rockets into outer space but land...

Dec 29, 2023 · Rocket debris from a recent China satellite launch fell to ground near inhabited areas, where bystanders apparently caught the fiery touchdown on video.