China to build lunar space station, explore habitable planets

China’s ambitious space programme just took a giant leap forward, unveiling plans to construct a lunar space station, launch manned lunar missions, and search for habitable planets over the next few decades. With a long-term vision mapped out through 2050, China’s space agencies are setting the stage for a monumental era in space exploration.

The three-phase roadmap

China’s lunar aspirations are just one part of a broader national plan for space science, announced by the China Academy of Sciences (CAS), the China National Space Administration, and the China Manned Space Agency. This detailed plan, spanning 2024 to 2050, includes a three-phase roadmap that begins with laying the groundwork for manned lunar exploration and planetary studies through 2027.

From 2028 to 2035, China will build an international lunar research station as part of its second phase.

While the lunar base will help with exploration, it will also serve as a strategic step towards expanding China’s influence in space, making it a key player in a new wave of extraterrestrial research.