Asia
China launches Tianhe space station core module into orbit
China successfully launched a 22-metric-ton module late Wednesday, beginning an intense period of missions for constructing the nation’s own space station.
China launches space mining test spacecraft on commercial rideshare mission
China launched a small space mining test spacecraft and eight other commercial satellites into orbit on a Long March 6 rocket late Monday.
China, Russia open moon base project to international partners, early details emerge
Russia and China have formally invited countries and international organizations to join the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project.
China’s commercial sector finds funding and direction
China has experienced an explosion of commercial space companies since 2014, driven by the government opening up the space sector to private capital.
China rolls out Long March 5B rocket for space station launch
China is set to launch the first module for its own space station next week after rolling out a Long March 5B rocket at Wenchang spaceport late Thursday.
China is developing plans for a 13,000-satellite megaconstellation
China is to oversee the construction and operation of a national satellite internet megaconstellation by coordinating the country’s major space actors.
Korea Aerospace Industries to invest $880 million to expand space business
Space will command nearly 45 percent of the $1.9 billion Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has set aside for a broader five-year growth plan.
China preparing Tianzhou-2 cargo mission to follow upcoming space station launch
A Long March 7 rocket has arrived at China’s coastal Wenchang spaceport to facilitate the Tianzhou-2 supply mission to a soon-to-launch space station module.
Nikon snaps up Boeing-backed supplier of 3D-printed satellite parts
Japanese camera maker Nikon has acquired a controlling stake in U.S. startup Morf3D, an aerospace supplier that has produced 3D-printed hardware for Boeing satellites and helicopters.
ESA, CNSA heads discuss future space plans
The heads of the European Space Agency and China National Space Administration held a video call April 1 to outline respective plans for the coming years.
Guangzhou moves to establish Chinese commercial space cluster
Guangzhou is developing a major space cluster in the city by hosting new projects including the new headquarters for the space business of Geely Group.
China launches second Gaofen-12 Earth observation satellite
China launched the Gaofen-12 (02) high resolution satellite Tuesday to boost the country’s Earth observation capabilities.
Hanwha Systems to launch 2,000 LEO communications satellites by 2030
South Korean conglomerate Hanwha Systems is planning to build and deploy a constellation of 2,000 satellites in low Earth orbit by 2030 to provide connectivity to urban cargo-delivery drones and passenger airplanes.
South Korean leader vows ‘landing on the moon by 2030’
President Moon Jae-in of South Korea has vowed to launch the nation’s first robotic lunar lander on a domestically developed rocket by 2030.
