China’s Space Programme: Tiangong, Chang’e, Long March — 2026-10-30
China’s Shenzhou-23 crew is preparing for a split return, with one taikonaut staying for a year-long mission, while state media highlights the "historic grit" of the Long March rocket family. Meanwhile, NASA has revised its Artemis mission schedule to maintain a 2028 lunar landing target, responding to intensifying competition in the new space race.
China’s Space Programme: Tiangong, Chang’e, Long March — 2026-10-30
Top developments
Shenzhou-23 Crew Prepares for Split Return and Year-Long Mission
The Shenzhou-23 crew, consisting of Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Li Jiaying, is nearing the end of their initial mission phase, with reports indicating a unique return plan where two astronauts will return to Earth while one remains on the Tiangong Space Station for a full year. This year-long stay is designed to test human adaptability to long-duration spaceflight, a critical step for future deep-space missions. The crew has already completed significant tasks, including solar wing maintenance and debris protection installation during a 5.5-hour spacewalk in August, demonstrating the station's operational maturity.
State Media Highlights Long March Legacy Amid New Launches
On October 29, the Global Times and China Manned Space Agency released footage celebrating the "historic grit" of China’s Long March rocket family, linking its 50-year history to current exploration goals. This narrative reinforces the national commitment to the 2030 crewed lunar landing, for which the Long March 10 and Mengzhou spacecraft are currently undergoing critical testing phases. The emphasis on heritage serves to bolster public support as the program transitions from Earth-orbit operations to lunar ambitions.
NASA Revises Artemis Plan to Counter Chinese Progress
In a move to maintain momentum in the lunar race, NASA has redesigned Artemis III as a 2027 crewed Earth-orbit test of SpaceX and Blue Origin landers, pushing the actual lunar landing to Artemis IV in 2028. This streamlining is explicitly framed as a response to China’s advancing timeline, with officials warning that Beijing is closing the gap in the "new space race". The revision aims to keep the 2028 target intact despite delays in the original orbital plans and spacesuit development.
Local view
Local Chinese media outlets like Sohu and Sina News are closely tracking the Shenzhou-23 mission, focusing on the personal stories of the astronauts and the technical milestones of their spacewalks. The narrative emphasizes the "teamwork" between the crew and ground support, particularly during the complex solar panel repairs conducted in August. State-affiliated outlets continue to frame these achievements as part of a broader national rejuvenation story, linking the success of the Tiangong station to the eventual goal of a crewed lunar landing.
Context & numbers
- Shenzhou-23 Mission Duration: One astronaut will remain on Tiangong for a total of 12 months, the longest continuous stay for a Chinese taikonaut to date.
- Spacewalk Duration: The Shenzhou-23 crew’s recent extravehicular activity lasted approximately 5.5 hours, marking one of the most complex maintenance operations on the station.
- Artemis Timeline: NASA’s revised plan sets Artemis III for a 2027 Earth-orbit test and Artemis IV for a 2028 lunar landing.
On the radar
- Shenzhou-24 Crew Selection: Reports indicate that the crew for the Shenzhou-24 mission is currently in the final stages of selection, with an announcement expected soon.
- Tiangong Expansion: Plans are underway to double the size of the Tiangong station before the International Space Station is decommissioned, potentially accommodating more international partners.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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