Uploaded February 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
BEIJING — China is planning to launch a record-breaking 60 missions into space this year. Among these would be the missions to transport the last two modules needed to complete its space station. Here are the details:
The South China Morning Post reports that the Chinese government plans to break its 2021 record this year by launching 60 missions into space.
Last year, the country sent 55 missions into space, compared to America’s 43 missions, which consisted mostly of SpaceX launches.
However, this year it could be hard for China to beat the U.S. number, as SpaceX alone plans to launch a rocket into space every week.
Among China’s planned 60 launches would be the last two modules needed to complete its Tiangong space station.
China says these modules would each weigh more than 20 tons and are designed to be used as science laboratories.
The first module is scheduled to launch around the middle of the year and will feature a robotic arm, which would become the station’s second such arm.
This module would also feature an airlock that’s designed to make spacewalks easier. The station’s crew has already conducted two spacewalks, while also testing the station’s existing robotic arm.
China started constructing the Tiangong space station after building and then abandoning two other stations. It says the new station will be a long-term orbital facility.
SOURCES: South China Morning Post, Space.com
scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3166575/china-space-missions-aim-break-2021-record-first-ever-double
space.com/china-will-complete-space-station-launch-record-2022
BEIJING — China is planning to launch a record-breaking 60 missions into space this year. Among these would be the missions to transport the last two modules needed to complete its space station. Here are the details:
The South China Morning Post reports that the Chinese government plans to break its 2021 record this year by launching 60 missions into space.
Last year, the country sent 55 missions into space, compared to America’s 43 missions, which consisted mostly of SpaceX launches.
However, this year it could be hard for China to beat the U.S. number, as SpaceX alone plans to launch a rocket into space every week.
Among China’s planned 60 launches would be the last two modules needed to complete its Tiangong space station.
China says these modules would each weigh more than 20 tons and are designed to be used as science laboratories.
The first module is scheduled to launch around the middle of the year and will feature a robotic arm, which would become the station’s second such arm.
This module would also feature an airlock that’s designed to make spacewalks easier. The station’s crew has already conducted two spacewalks, while also testing the station’s existing robotic arm.
China started constructing the Tiangong space station after building and then abandoning two other stations. It says the new station will be a long-term orbital facility.
SOURCES: South China Morning Post, Space.com
scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3166575/china-space-missions-aim-break-2021-record-first-ever-double
space.com/china-will-complete-space-station-launch-record-2022
