China will carry out a series of key space missions in 2026, including a close approach and observation of an asteroid by its Tianwen-2 probe, officials said.
According to Liu Yunfeng of the China National Space Administration, the country will also launch crewed missions such as Shenzhou-23 and conduct flight tests of reusable rockets as part of expanding its space programme.
He said China made steady progress in 2025, completing 92 space launches, a significant increase from the previous year.
The Tianwen-2 probe has already entered transfer orbit toward asteroid 2016 HO3, marking China’s first mission to explore and collect samples from an asteroid.
Meanwhile, the earlier Tianwen-1 mission continues to provide valuable data from Mars, with large volumes of scientific information shared with researchers.
China has also advanced its human spaceflight programme, completing multiple launches and returns, while continuing preparations for future lunar missions.
The country’s BeiDou satellite navigation system and Earth observation capabilities have also expanded, alongside progress in satellite internet development.
Officials said Space Day of China will be observed around April 24 in Chengdu, featuring exhibitions and events to highlight the country’s achievements in space exploration.
The annual event marks the launch of China’s first satellite in 1970 and showcases ongoing developments in its space sector.
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