China has rolled out a roadmap of space research goals for the period 2024 to 2050.
The agenda is reportedly the first of its kind at a national level and was unveiled Tuesday by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the China National Space Administration (CNSA) and the China Manned Space Agency.
Details were revealed at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office in Beijing, China.
As explained by the state-run China Central Television (CCTV), China’s space science plan includes 17 priority areas under five key scientific themes: the extreme universe, space-time ripples, panoramic view of Sun-Earth, habitable planets, and biological and physical sciences in space, Ding Chibiao, vice president of the CAS said at the press conference.
Ding Chibiao, vice president of the CAS.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Research themes
The theme of extreme universe focuses on exploring the origin and evolution of the universe, revealing the physical laws under extreme cosmic conditions. The priority areas range from dark matter and extreme universe to the universe’s origin and evolution, as well as the detection of cosmic baryonic matter, according to the program.
Other themes are:
- The theme of space-time ripples centers on detecting medium to low-frequency gravitational waves and primordial gravitational waves, with the goal of uncovering the nature of gravity and space-time. The priority area within this theme is space-based gravitational wave detection.
- The Sun-Earth panoramic view theme involves the exploration of the sun, the Earth, and the heliosphere to unravel the physical processes and laws governing the complex interactions within the Sun-Earth system. Priority areas include Earth’s cycle systems, comprehensive observations of the Earth-Moon, space weather observation, three-dimensional solar exploration, and heliosphere exploration.
- Scientists will also explore the habitability of celestial bodies in the solar system and exoplanets, as well as search for extraterrestrial life. Key areas in the subject cover sustainable development, the origin and evolution of the solar system, characterization of planetary atmospheres, the search for extraterrestrial life, and exoplanet detection.
- The theme of biological and physical sciences in space seeks to reveal the laws of matter movement and life activities under space conditions to deepen the understanding of fundamental physics, such as quantum mechanics and general relativity. Priority areas encompass microgravity science, quantum mechanics and general relativity, and space life sciences.
Phased approaches
The newly issued roadmap outlines China’s space science development through 2050.
China space station is captured in this photo taken by the departing Shenzhou-16 crew.
Image credit: CMS
“In the first phase, leading up to 2027, China will focus on operating its space station, implementing the manned lunar exploration project, and the fourth phase of its lunar exploration program as well as the planetary exploration project,” Ding said. “Five to eight space science satellite missions will be approved and a number of original achievements with significant international influence will be made during the period.”
From 2028 to 2035, China will continue to operate its space station operation, Ding added, implement the manned lunar exploration project and construct the international lunar research station, the ILRS.
“In the third phase from 2036 to 2050, China will launch over 30 space science missions and ascend to an advanced world level in key areas,” said Ding.
Yang Xiaoyu, director of the System Engineering Department of the CNSA.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Moon research station
In regards to the International Lunar Research Station, it’s a two-phased initiative.
According to Yang Xiaoyu, director of the System Engineering Department of the CNSA, the first phase, the basic configuration phase, will focus on establishing a comprehensive lunar-based research platform to enable regular scientific experiments and verification of resource utilization technologies.
The second phase, the expansion phase, aims to create a large-scale, stable, and fully functional lunar research platform “capable of carrying out long-term unmanned operations, allowing short-term human presence, and conducting comprehensive lunar surface scientific research, resource development, and technology verification,” said Yang.
Artist’s view of International Lunar Research Station . Credit: CNSA
The CNSA launched the ILRS cooperation initiative globally in 2017, aiming to build a basic model by 2035 in the lunar south pole region, and to establish a lunar research station connecting the Moon’s south pole, equator, and far side by 2050.
Yang noted that the ILRS project involves signed cooperation agreements with 17 countries and international organizations and are prepared to offer various collaborative opportunities to international partners.
“We will engage in extensive cooperation with our partners on joint feasibility studies, joint design of the ILRS, technical collaboration, overall mission planning and implementation, and scientific data sharing,” said Yang.
China’s Chang’e-7 is to launch a mini-scout that will overfly a shadowed crater at the Moon’s south pole to look for possible traces of water or ice.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Lunar south pole
As for upcoming Moon exploration projects China is moving forward with launching the Chang’e-7 and Chang’e-8 probes in the near-term.
Chang’e-7 will probe the environment and resources of the lunar south pole.
Chang’e-8 will carry out technical verification of the in-situ utilization of lunar resources.
China’s Chang’e-8 lunar lander, a bridge build to the International Lunar Research Station.
Image credit: CNSA
“They will form the basic model of the lunar scientific research station that we are currently demonstrating. The two will also jointly conduct a comprehensive multi-physics exploration of the lunar internal structure,” said Yang.
Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the China Manned Space Agency, also underscored that China has been steadily preparing for its historic launch of a crewed mission to the Moon and the establishment of a lunar research station.
At Tuesday’s conference, Lin and other officials from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the China National Space Administration also said that the ILRS initiated by China will be constructed from 2028 to 2035, and approximately 15 scientific satellite missions will be carried out during this period. And from 2036 to 2050, China will launch over 30 space science missions.
Image credit: CCTV/CGTN/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Planetary exploration
As for planetary exploration objectives, China will also carry out asteroid exploration, work towards sample return missions on Mars, and press ahead with further planetary exploration in the solar system.
On the books are launchings of Tianwen-2, Tianwen-3, and Tianwen-4 in the future.
Tianwen-2 will deliver samples from asteroids. Tianwen-3 will retrieve samples from Mars. Tianwen-4 is designed to study Jupiter and its satellites and probe the space and internal structure of Jupiter, Yang said.