Andrew Jones, Author at SpaceNews https://spacenews.com Covering the business and politics of space Wed, 30 Apr 2025 09:26:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/cropped-SN_forza_star-32x32.png Andrew Jones, Author at SpaceNews https://spacenews.com 32 32 80681979 China is making stainless steel tanks for its future super heavy-lift rockets https://spacenews.com/china-is-making-stainless-steel-tanks-for-its-future-super-heavy-lift-rockets/ https://spacenews.com/china-is-making-stainless-steel-tanks-for-its-future-super-heavy-lift-rockets/#respond Wed, 30 Apr 2025 09:26:30 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516722 A large cylindrical stainless steel propellant tank, developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), sits mounted in a factory setting. A red banner across the tank reads “Large-diameter stainless steel tank integrated test product off the assembly line” in Chinese.

A Chinese state-owned rocket maker is making progress in producing large diameter stainless steel tanks for its next-generation launch vehicles.

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China’s Shenzhou-19 astronauts return to Earth after six-month mission https://spacenews.com/chinas-shenzhou-19-astronauts-return-to-earth-after-six-month-mission/ https://spacenews.com/chinas-shenzhou-19-astronauts-return-to-earth-after-six-month-mission/#respond Wed, 30 Apr 2025 07:56:32 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516718 Chinese astronaut Wang Haoze smiles and waves while being carried in a reclining chair by recovery personnel after landing from the Shenzhou-19 mission, with a Chinese flag and the reentry capsule visible in the background.

China’s three Shenzhou-19 mission astronauts are safely back on the ground following a six-month-mission aboard the Tiangong space station.

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China launches third batch of Guowang megaconstellation satellites https://spacenews.com/china-launches-third-batch-of-guowang-megaconstellation-satellites/ https://spacenews.com/china-launches-third-batch-of-guowang-megaconstellation-satellites/#respond Tue, 29 Apr 2025 11:23:43 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516674 A Long March 5B rocket pierces thick fog during liftoff from Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, its bright engines casting an orange glow over silhouetted palm trees.

China launched a third batch of Guowang megaconstellation satellites Tuesday, advancing its ambitious low Earth orbit communications network to rival Starlink and other global systems.

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China and Malaysia to study international equatorial spaceport project https://spacenews.com/china-and-malaysia-to-study-international-equatorial-spaceport-project/ https://spacenews.com/china-and-malaysia-to-study-international-equatorial-spaceport-project/#respond Mon, 28 Apr 2025 22:12:33 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516640 A Long March 8 rocket lifts off from Hainan Commercial Launch Site at night, illuminating the surroundings with bright flames and thick clouds of smoke. The launch pad structure and lightning towers frame the ascending vehicle against the dark sky.

China is exploring establishing its first overseas launch site with a proposed equatorial spaceport in Malaysia, carrying strategic, economic, and geopolitical implications.

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Long March 3B launches Tianlian-2 (05) satellite to boost space data relay network https://spacenews.com/long-march-3b-launches-tianlian-2-05-satellite-to-boost-space-data-relay-network/ https://spacenews.com/long-march-3b-launches-tianlian-2-05-satellite-to-boost-space-data-relay-network/#respond Sun, 27 Apr 2025 22:09:37 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516596 A Long March 3B rocket lifts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center at night, sending the Tianlian-2 (05) data relay satellite into orbit. Bright flames and smoke billow from the rocket’s base as it ascends past the illuminated launch tower.

China added a new satellite to its geostationary Tianlian data tracking and relay communications satellite series Sunday with its latest launch.

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China to lend Chang’e-5 moon samples to U.S. universities https://spacenews.com/china-to-lend-change-5-moon-samples-to-u-s-universities/ https://spacenews.com/china-to-lend-change-5-moon-samples-to-u-s-universities/#respond Sat, 26 Apr 2025 21:02:25 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516589 A panorama returned by the Chang'e-5 lander, showing robotic sampling arm and scoop marks in lunar regolith.

China approved international requests, including from two U.S. universities, to borrow small portions of moon samples collected by its Chang’e-5 mission.

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China selects international payloads for Chang’e-8 lunar south pole mission https://spacenews.com/china-selects-international-payloads-for-change-8-lunar-south-pole-mission/ https://spacenews.com/china-selects-international-payloads-for-change-8-lunar-south-pole-mission/#respond Fri, 25 Apr 2025 09:55:39 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516565 Artistic render of China's Chang'e-8 lunar lander on the moon's surface, featuring a gold-colored lander with extended solar panels under a starry lunar sky, illuminated by the Sun.

China has chosen payloads from a range of international partners to fly on the country’s Chang’e-8 lunar south pole mission, expanding its space diplomacy.

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Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft arrives at Tiangong space station https://spacenews.com/shenzhou-20-crewed-spacecraft-arrives-at-tiangong-space-station/ https://spacenews.com/shenzhou-20-crewed-spacecraft-arrives-at-tiangong-space-station/#respond Thu, 24 Apr 2025 16:53:30 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516528 View from Shenzhou-20 spacecraft showing the docking interface with the Tiangong space station on April 24, 2025. The image captures the moment of docking, with structural elements and connection points of both spacecraft visible under bright illumination.

Three Chinese astronauts arrived at the Tiangong space station Thursday aboard the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, hours after launching from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center

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China Report: Debris risks, startup funding and previewing Space Day https://spacenews.com/china-report-debris-risks-startup-funding-and-previewing-space-day/ https://spacenews.com/china-report-debris-risks-startup-funding-and-previewing-space-day/#respond Thu, 24 Apr 2025 16:01:09 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516421 A Long March 6A rocket climbs above the launch tower at Taiyuan amid plumes of exhaust and a blue sky backdrop.

China’s megaconstellation launches spark debris concerns; commercial space expands; Lightyear Explorer raises funds; key updates expected during China’s Space Day and Shenzhou-20 launch.

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Chinese orbital logistics startup InfinAstro raises angel round funding https://spacenews.com/chinese-orbital-logistics-startup-infinastro-raises-angel-round-funding/ https://spacenews.com/chinese-orbital-logistics-startup-infinastro-raises-angel-round-funding/#respond Mon, 21 Apr 2025 08:19:19 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516413 A digital rendering of InfinAstro’s “Space Bus” orbital transfer vehicle in space, carrying multiple small satellites and approaching Earth orbit.

Chinese startup InfinAstro has secured early funding for its plan to fill a gap in China’s commercial on-orbit services.

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China launches 6 classified experimental satellites with Long March 6A https://spacenews.com/china-launches-6-classified-experimental-satellites-with-long-march-6a/ https://spacenews.com/china-launches-6-classified-experimental-satellites-with-long-march-6a/#respond Sat, 19 Apr 2025 14:14:21 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516401 A Long March 6A rocket stands on the launch pad at China's Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, surrounded by dense morning fog and lightning towers. Venting is visible from the rocket as it prepares for liftoff, with the launch tower displaying Chinese characters reading "Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center."

China sent six experimental Shiyan series satellites into orbit late Friday Eastern, using its Long March 6A rocket launched from Taiyuan.

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Mission team details complex rescue of Chinese lunar spacecraft https://spacenews.com/mission-team-details-complex-rescue-of-chinese-lunar-spacecraft/ https://spacenews.com/mission-team-details-complex-rescue-of-chinese-lunar-spacecraft/#respond Thu, 17 Apr 2025 11:17:24 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516329 Image of the moon's far side with Earth in the distant background, taken from lunar orbit. The lunar surface appears gray and cratered, while Earth is shown as a small blue-and-white sphere against the blackness of space.

A team behind the rescue of two lunar satellites left stranded by a launch anomaly have revealed the challenges they faced in salvaging the mission.

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China launches TJS-17, expanding classified geostationary satellite series https://spacenews.com/china-launches-tjs-17-expanding-classified-geostationary-satellite-series/ https://spacenews.com/china-launches-tjs-17-expanding-classified-geostationary-satellite-series/#respond Thu, 10 Apr 2025 21:33:24 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516131 A Long March 3B rocket lifts off from Xichang Satellite Launch Center at night, illuminating the launch pad with bright orange exhaust flames during the launch of the classified TJS-17 satellite on April 10, 2025.

China launched Thursday what appears to be the third satellite for a subset of classified, experimental satellites bound for geosynchronous orbit.

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China to seek out life in the solar system as NASA faces cuts, commercial players expand ambitions https://spacenews.com/china-to-seek-out-life-in-the-solar-system-as-nasa-faces-cuts-commercial-players-expand-ambitions/ https://spacenews.com/china-to-seek-out-life-in-the-solar-system-as-nasa-faces-cuts-commercial-players-expand-ambitions/#respond Wed, 09 Apr 2025 14:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=515275 A high-resolution image of Mars taken by China's Tianwen-1 spacecraft, showing a partially illuminated view of the planet’s northern hemisphere against the darkness of space. The reddish-brown Martian surface is visible with subtle atmospheric haze.

China has unveiled a long-term planetary exploration roadmap for planetary habitability and the search for extraterrestrial life. Released by the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL), the roadmap outlines a series […]

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China’s megaconstellation launches could litter orbit for more than a century, analysts warn https://spacenews.com/chinas-megaconstellation-launches-could-litter-orbit-for-more-than-a-century-analysts-warn/ https://spacenews.com/chinas-megaconstellation-launches-could-litter-orbit-for-more-than-a-century-analysts-warn/#respond Mon, 07 Apr 2025 11:48:11 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=515713

China’s construction of a pair of communications megaconstellations could cloud low Earth orbit with large spent rocket stages for decades or beyond, according to analysts.

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China expands counterspace capabilities, new report finds https://spacenews.com/china-expands-counterspace-capabilities-new-report-finds/ https://spacenews.com/china-expands-counterspace-capabilities-new-report-finds/#respond Thu, 03 Apr 2025 13:49:45 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=515529 Nighttime launch of the Long March 3B rocket carrying the Shijian-25 satellite, illuminating the surroundings at Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

China is rapidly advancing a broad spectrum of counterspace capabilities as part of a sustained push to secure military power in orbit.

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China launches internet technology test satellites with Long March 2D https://spacenews.com/china-launches-internet-technology-test-satellites-with-long-march-2d/ https://spacenews.com/china-launches-internet-technology-test-satellites-with-long-march-2d/#respond Tue, 01 Apr 2025 10:55:03 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=515322 A Long March 2D rocket ascends into a clear blue sky after liftoff from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, trailing a pinkish-orange exhaust plume. Pieces of insulation are seen peeling away from the payload fairing during ascent.

China conducted a new launch for a nebulous series of internet technology test satellites early Tuesday.

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Chinese Bluetooth satellite startup raises early funding https://spacenews.com/chinese-bluetooth-satellite-startup-raises-early-funding/ https://spacenews.com/chinese-bluetooth-satellite-startup-raises-early-funding/#respond Mon, 31 Mar 2025 08:45:52 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=515259 Render of a Bluelink Satcom satellite in low Earth orbit, featuring a gold-colored cube-shaped bus with four extended solar panel arms arranged in a cross configuration, set against the backdrop of space and the Earth's horizon.

HELSINKI — Chinese startup Bluelink Satcom has raised early-stage funding to build a satellite network capable of detecting Bluetooth signals from space. Bluelink Satcom announced an angel+ funding round March […]

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China launches classified TJS-16 spacecraft, companion object emerges alongside earlier TJS-15 satellite https://spacenews.com/china-launches-classified-tjs-16-spacecraft-companion-object-emerges-alongside-earlier-tjs-15-satellite/ https://spacenews.com/china-launches-classified-tjs-16-spacecraft-companion-object-emerges-alongside-earlier-tjs-15-satellite/#respond Sat, 29 Mar 2025 20:54:36 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=515239 "A Long March 7A rocket lifts off at night from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, sending the classified TJS-16 satellite into orbit. Bright flames and thick plumes of exhaust illuminate the launch pad and surrounding towers against the dark sky.

HELSINKI — China launched the new TJS-16 classified satellite on Saturday aboard a Long March 7A rocket, continuing the opaque series of experimental missions. A Long March 7A rocket lifted […]

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China’s megaconstellations take off, government backs commercial space https://spacenews.com/chinas-megaconstellations-take-off-government-backs-commercial-space/ https://spacenews.com/chinas-megaconstellations-take-off-government-backs-commercial-space/#respond Fri, 28 Mar 2025 12:05:22 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=515092 Launch preparations for Gravity-1 aboard the Defu-15002 sea platform. Credit: Orienspace

EDITOR’S NOTE: Beginning this spring, Andrew Jones will be explaining the business, politics and technology in Chinese space activities as part of a new biweekly newsletter. Sign up now to […]

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China unveils planetary exploration roadmap targeting habitability and extraterrestrial life https://spacenews.com/china-unveils-planetary-exploration-roadmap-targeting-habitability-and-extraterrestrial-life/ https://spacenews.com/china-unveils-planetary-exploration-roadmap-targeting-habitability-and-extraterrestrial-life/#respond Thu, 27 Mar 2025 18:58:49 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=515155 Enhanced image of Neptune’s moon Triton captured by NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft, showing a crescent-shaped, geologically complex surface with icy plains, ridges, and faint greenish and reddish hues.

HELSINKI — China is charting a long-term deep space strategy centered on planetary habitability and the search for extraterrestrial life, according to a newly revealed mission roadmap. A slide titled […]

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China launches new Tianlian data relay satellite to support human spaceflight https://spacenews.com/china-launches-new-tianlian-data-relay-satellite-to-support-human-spaceflight/ https://spacenews.com/china-launches-new-tianlian-data-relay-satellite-to-support-human-spaceflight/#respond Wed, 26 Mar 2025 22:20:56 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=515109 A Long March 3B rocket lifts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center at night, sending the Tianlian-2 (04) data relay satellite into orbit. Bright flames and smoke billow from the rocket’s base as it ascends past the illuminated launch tower.

HELSINKI — China launched a new Tianlian data tracking and relay communications satellite Wednesday, adding to the country’s on-orbit infrastructure in the geostationary belt.  A Long March 3B lifted off […]

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Shenzhou-19 astronauts complete third spacewalk, install final debris shielding on Tiangong https://spacenews.com/shenzhou-19-astronauts-complete-third-spacewalk-install-final-debris-shielding-on-tiangong/ https://spacenews.com/shenzhou-19-astronauts-complete-third-spacewalk-install-final-debris-shielding-on-tiangong/#respond Mon, 24 Mar 2025 09:30:37 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=514933 Two Chinese astronauts conducting a spacewalk outside the Tiangong space station, with Earth and clouds visible in the background. One astronaut is positioned at the end of Tiangong’s robotic arm, captured by an external camera mounted on the arm. Large solar arrays of the station are also visible.

HELSINKI — A pair of Chinese astronauts embarked on an extravehicular activity outside the Tiangong space station Friday, as the crew approaches the end of their six-month-long stay in orbit. […]

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Chinese company targets crewed orbital spaceflight https://spacenews.com/chinese-company-targets-crewed-orbital-spaceflight/ https://spacenews.com/chinese-company-targets-crewed-orbital-spaceflight/#respond Wed, 19 Mar 2025 18:25:35 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=514785 Liftoff of the Long March 2F carrying Shenzhou-12 at 9:22 p.m. Eastern, June 16, 2021.

HELSINKI — A Chinese space company is setting its sights on crewed orbital spaceflight, marking a new step in the expansion of China’s commercial space sector. Zhang Xiaomin, chairman of […]

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