China launches plan to lead the world in space exploration

Long-term research program includes building Moon bases, finding habitable exoplanets, and probing 'space-time ripples'

China yesterday revealed its space exploration plans between now and the year 2050, and one of the nation's goals is finding habitable planets beyond our solar system.

The plan is the work of China's Academy of Sciences, National Space Administration, and Manned Space Engineering Office, and is the first national-level plan developed by the Middle Kingdom.

The document published online offers a list of the big things China wants to investigate, namely:

• The "extreme universe" - investigating the origin of the universe and how physical laws developed in its early life;
• "Ripples of Space-Time" – studying gravitational waves to better understand the nature of gravity and space-time;
• The "Sun-Earth Panorama" – a term encompassing "the physical processes and laws of the complex Sun-Earth system and the overall connection between the Sun and the solar system";
• Habitable planets – the search for evidence of extraterrestrial life, both within and outside our solar system and beyond;
• "Space studies" – general research that aims to "reveal the laws of material movement and life activities under space conditions, and deepen the understanding of basic physics such as quantum mechanics and general relativity."

To get that done, the plan outlines three phases of activity, the first of which will take place between the present and 2027. In those years China will continue to operate its space station, "implement manned lunar exploration" – which we think means putting boots on the Moon – launch further planetary exploration missions, and prep between five and eight satellites dedicated to scientific experiments.

From 2028 to 2035, the plan calls for ongoing space station ops, further crewed Moon exploration, and developing an International Lunar Research Station. A further 15 science satellites will also be developed.

Another 30 space science missions will fly between 2036 and 2050, by which time China hopes to reach "world-leading levels" in important fields.

It would be folly to write this document off as just bluster. China's government has a fleet of capable launch vehicles and plans 100 missions this year alone. The nation has launched and is maintaining a sophisticated space station and conducted succesful uncrewed Moon landings and sample return missions.

Of course China – like all spacefaring nations and companies – has its fair share of failures. The country's space program also irks many with its casual attitude towards falling space junk. ®