China Aerospace

China has advanced its lunar exploration program with the return of experimental lunar regolith bricks, which spent a year exposed to the space environment aboard China's space station. These bricks, developed by Ding Lieyun and a team from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, were retrieved last week on the Shenzhou XXI spacecraft and found in good condition during initial inspections.

Researchers from the Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IGCAS), and Shandong University have identified, for the first time, crystalline hematite and maghemite produced by a major impact event in lunar soil returned from the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin by China's Chang'e-6 mission. These findings, published in Science Advances, offer direct evidence from lunar samples indicating the presence of highly oxidized materials on the Moon. Redox reactions are fundamental to the history of planetary formation, yet previous studies confirmed that neither the Moon's interior oxygen fugacity nor its surface environment favor strong oxidation. Most iron on the Moon is found in reduced forms, either as ferrous or metallic iron. However, spectroscopic data recently suggested that hematite is distributed in high-latitude lunar regions.

Preparations begin for return of Shenzhou mission crew after debris incident by Riko Seibo Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Nov 12, 2025 The China Manned Space Agency has initiated emergency plans to bring home the Shenzhou XX crew after a space debris impact prompted a delay in their scheduled return. Mission planners and engineers prioritized crew safety and carried out comprehensive simulations, hardware checks, and risk assessments for the Shenzhou XX spacecraft. Teams at the Dongfeng Landing Site conducted intensive drills to ensure readiness for the crew's eventual return. All associated systems have performed numerous tests to confirm operational status and address any potential issues. The Tiangong space station remains fully functional and can support two crews concurrently. Shenzhou XX astronauts continue their daily activities and collaborate with the Shenzhou XXI crew on ongoing scientific projects. Mission commander Senior Colonel Chen Dong and crewmates Colonel Chen Zhongrui and Colonel Wang Jie were originally slated to return on November 5 after six months aboard Tiangong. The Shenzhou XX crew represents China's fifteenth manned space flight and is the ninth group to reside on the station. The team's return was delayed when their spacecraft was struck by debris, a hazard that includes remnants of rockets, obsolete satellites, collision fragments, and other objects orbiting Earth. Such debris poses risks to spacecraft integrity and crew safety.

New Space (Xiamen) Aerospace Group Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "New Space Aerospace") is located in Jimei District, Xiamen City. It is a Chinese commercial aerospace technology company dedicated to building a comprehensive aerospace company covering the entire industry chain including spacecraft research and development, manufacturing, launch, operation and service. The group focuses on commercial aerospace, satellite manufacturing and launch, spacecraft and aircraft development, especially in rocket engine technology, low-orbit satellites, flying cars and other emerging aerospace fields. With strong technical accumulation and innovation strength, it has rapidly risen in the domestic and foreign aerospace markets and is about to become one of the important players in the global aerospace field.

New Space Aerospace Group and Zhongkong Yingrun Group Co., Ltd. have reached a strategic mutual investment cooperation to jointly promote the deep integration of the aerospace industry and intelligent manufacturing

New Space Aerospace Group and Shanghai EuroNet Network Technology Development Co., Ltd. have reached a strategic cooperation to jointly promote the deep integration of aerospace and digital technology

Chang'e-5 for the first time, and found that the chromite nanocrystals on the lunar surface can grow outward from the surface of olivine like mushrooms after rain. Recently, the relevant results were published in the American Mineralogist.

The satellite entered its designated orbit and the launch mission was a complete success. This mission also carried and launched the Tianlu-1 satellite and the Blue Carbon-1 satellite.

The successful launch of the fourth phase of lunar exploration by the Magpie Bridge II relay satellite will lead to the construction of a new "Magpie Bridge" on the Earth and Moon

On March 15th, the Long March-5 Yao-8 carrier rocket, which will carry out the fourth phase of the lunar exploration project Chang'e-6 mission, safely arrived at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in China. Subsequently

According to China Aerospace Science and Technology Group, on March 15, 2024, China Aerospace Science and Technology Group Co., Ltd. held a meeting of middle-level and above management personnel.