Zhang highlighted Wuhan University's deep expertise in remote sensing science, geographic information, and emergency management, emphasizing its globally recognized achievements in these fields. "This collaboration not only acknowledges the university's scientific research capabilities but also creates a strategic platform for deeper involvement in global disaster governance," Zhang said.

The new office will serve as a hub for enhanced cooperation in space technology applications and outer space law, supporting the peaceful use of outer space and contributing to solutions for global challenges like climate change and natural disasters, according to Zhang.

Holla-Maini praised Wuhan University's ongoing contributions to space-based disaster mitigation, including its recent technical support for earthquake relief efforts in Myanmar. "We look forward to advancing innovative applications of space-based technologies in disaster early warning, emergency response, and sustainable development," she said. "We aim to push technological boundaries and build a more efficient support system for a global community with a shared future."

Professor Li Xi from the State Key Laboratory of Information Engineering in Surveying, Mapping and Remote Sensing, noted that this partnership marks a significant milestone. "In the past, collaborations between Wuhan University and the UN primarily involved academic exchanges and joint research. Now, we are formally integrated into the UN's operational mechanisms," Li said.

"Through this partnership, we can deliver research outcomes directly to the UN, while the UN can offer substantial support to our institution," he added. "This integration elevates Wuhan University's global profile within the UN system and further promotes Hubei's aerospace industry on the international stage."

Li also highlighted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the UN's founding, making this collaboration particularly meaningful. It reflects international recognition of Hubei's robust scientific and educational strengths and allows the province's world-leading remote sensing capabilities to contribute directly to global initiatives.

The office, the first regional support center established by UNOOSA in China, reflects the UN's longstanding commitment to international space cooperation. Established through UN General Assembly resolution 1348 (XIII) on Dec 13, 1958, UNOOSA supports peaceful space exploration and use.

]]> Fri, 23 MAY 2025 02:08:50 AEST Sydney, Australia (SPX) May 02, 2025 - The latest batch of experimental samples from China's Tiangong space station has safely returned to Earth, totaling approximately 37.25 kilograms and spanning 25 scientific investigations. Delivered by the Shenzhou-19 return capsule, this marks the eighth consignment of space station research materials.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) reported that the experiments covered space life sciences, advanced materials, and novel space technologies. After recovery at the landing site, time-sensitive biological samples were promptly sent to Beijing and transferred to scientists following inspection by CAS's Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization.

This batch included 20 types of biological samples, the most diverse collected to date during Tiangong's operational phase. These included bone cells, human stem cells, bronchial epithelial cells, embryos from humans and animals, protein samples, and fruit flies.

Researchers will use these specimens to study how space conditions influence cellular processes such as bone density loss, stem cell behavior, and cancer development triggered by space radiation. They also aim to understand how early mammalian embryos grow in microgravity and how protein functions shift without Earth's gravity. Additional studies will assess fruit fly adaptation to the space environment.

The results are expected to inform strategies for protecting astronaut health on future missions and may yield insights applicable to Earth-based medical science.

Materials science experiments are also under way. Tungsten alloys, high-strength steels, specialty crystals, semiconductor components, lunar soil bonding agents, and new lubricant formulations were among the returned materials. These are being sent to Beijing for analysis.

CAS scientists noted that the findings will support the development of next-generation technologies for aerospace and terrestrial use. Applications range from jet engine materials and deep-ultraviolet lithography systems to lunar construction techniques and foldable solar array designs essential for deep-space missions.

]]> Fri, 23 MAY 2025 02:08:50 AEST Sydney, Australia (SPX) Apr 30, 2025 - China's Shenzhou XIX crew has officially handed over control of the Tiangong space station to the incoming Shenzhou XX crew, marking another milestone in the nation's growing space ambitions. Following the successful completion of their mission objectives, the Shenzhou XIX astronauts are now preparing to return to Earth.

The Tiangong space station, which has seen multiple crewed missions over the years, is poised to enter a new era of international collaboration. For the first time, China is preparing to welcome a foreign astronaut onboard. This development follows a landmark agreement signed in February between China and Pakistan to jointly select and train Pakistani astronauts for future Tiangong missions. It is the first such pact by China involving training foreign astronauts for space station duties, signifying a strategic deepening of international partnerships.

Despite ongoing U.S. efforts to cast suspicion on China's space intentions, portraying them as a strategic threat, Beijing continues to advocate for a more inclusive and cooperative vision for outer space. China has emphasized that its space endeavors aim to promote the peaceful use of space and to share technological benefits with all nations, especially developing countries.

China's efforts to lower the barriers for space participation by emerging nations reflect its broader commitment to global equity and collaboration. This inclusive approach underscores Beijing's goal of fostering a spacefaring community built around mutual benefit, rather than competition and unilateral dominance.

With the Tiangong station serving as a platform for such cooperation, China positions itself as a central player in shaping a multilateral framework for the peaceful development of outer space.

]]> Fri, 23 MAY 2025 02:08:50 AEST Beijing (AFP) April 30, 2025 - Three Chinese astronauts returned to Earth on Wednesday after six months on the country's space station, state media footage showed, as Beijing advances towards its aim to become a major celestial power.

China has ploughed billions of dollars into its space programme in recent years in an effort to achieve what President Xi Jinping describes as the country's "space dream".

The world's second-largest economy has bold plans to send a crewed mission to the Moon by the end of the decade and eventually build a base on the lunar surface.

Its latest launch last week ferried a trio of astronauts to the Tiangong space station, heralding the start of the Shenzhou-20 mission.

They have taken over from Shenzhou-19 crew Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze, whose landing capsule touched down in the northern Inner Mongolia region on Wednesday.

Shortly after the landing, the Xinhua state news agency said the mission was a "complete success", adding that the trio were in "good health".

Pictures from state broadcaster CCTV showed the capsule, attached to a red-and-white striped parachute, descending through an azure sky before hitting the ground in a cloud of brown desert dust.

Teams of officials in white and orange jumpsuits then rushed to open the golden craft, and one planted a fluttering national flag into the sandy soil nearby.

The Shenzhou-19 crew had worked on the space station since October, where they carried out experiments and set a new record for the longest ever spacewalk.

They were initially scheduled to return on Tuesday, but the mission was postponed due to bad weather at the Dongfeng landing site, according to Chinese authorities.

Wang, 35, was China's only woman spaceflight engineer at the time of the launch, according to the Chinese Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

Commander Cai, a 48-year-old former air force pilot, previously served aboard Tiangong as part of the Shenzhou-14 mission in 2022.

Song, a 34-year-old onetime air force pilot, completed the group of spacefarers popularly dubbed "taikonauts" in China.

- Bold ambitions -

Last week, China saw off the Shenzhou-20 team in a feast of pomp and pageantry at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Base in the barren desert of northwestern Gansu province.

A military band and crowds of flag-waving well-wishers bade farewell to the crew before they blasted off on a Long March-2F rocket.

State media reported that they assumed control of the space station after a handover ceremony with its former occupants on Sunday.

The all-male Shenzhou-20 crew is headed by Chen Dong, 46, a former fighter pilot and veteran space explorer who in 2022 became the first Chinese astronaut to clock up more than 200 cumulative days in orbit.

The other two crew members -- 40-year-old former air force pilot Chen Zhongrui, and 35-year-old former space technology engineer Wang Jie -- are on their first space flight.

During their six-month stint, the crew will carry out experiments in physics and life sciences and install protective equipment against space debris.

For the first time, they will also bring aboard planarians, aquatic flatworms known for their regenerative abilities.

China's space programme is the third to put humans in orbit and has also landed robotic rovers on Mars and the Moon as it catches up with the two most established cosmic powers, the United States and Russia.

Tiangong -- whose name means "celestial palace" in Chinese -- is its tour de force.

China has never been involved in the International Space Station due to opposition from the United States.

Washington plans to return to the Moon in 2027, though the election of President Donald Trump brought uncertainty over the mission's fate.

]]> Fri, 23 MAY 2025 02:08:50 AEST Sydney, Australia (SPX) Apr 28, 2025 - China has selected 10 international projects to join its upcoming Chang'e 8 lunar mission, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced Thursday.

The chosen initiatives, representing 11 countries and regions along with the International Society for Terrain-Vehicle Systems, cover a wide array of scientific and technological fields. They will be transported aboard the Chang'e 8 robotic lander.

Among the selected contributions are a multifunctional robot developed by two universities in Hong Kong, an intelligent exploration robot created by Turkiye's Middle East Technical University, a lunar visible and infrared imaging system jointly produced by Bahrain's National Space Science Agency and the Egyptian Space Agency, and a lunar electric potential monitor from the Iranian Space Agency.

CNSA Administrator Shan Zhongde emphasized China's commitment to working with global partners to achieve scientific advances and technological innovations in lunar research "to benefit mankind".

Planned for launch around 2029, Chang'e 8 will focus its operations on the Leibnitz-Beta Plateau near the lunar south pole. The mission will deploy a lander, a rover, and a robotic system.

Alongside Chang'e 7, Chang'e 8 will carry out scientific investigations and test techniques for in situ resource utilization - extracting and using local materials on the Moon or other celestial bodies. These missions are expected to support the eventual development of an International Lunar Research Station.

Utilizing lunar resources will be vital for sustaining human activities on the Moon, said Wu Weiren, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and chief planner of China's lunar programs.

CNSA noted that in October last year, it opened 200 kilograms of payload space to international collaborators, receiving 41 proposals. Following a comprehensive evaluation based on scientific value, technical feasibility, and collaborative diversity, 14 proposals from 11 countries and regions and one international organization were consolidated into 10 approved projects.

According to Pang Zhihao, a veteran space technology expert from the China Academy of Space Technology, China's efforts to build a multinational lunar base highlight its openness to global cooperation.

"You can find that most of the selected projects come from developing nations that want to build their own space industry," Pang said. "Allowing their participation in world-class missions like Chang'e 8 will tremendously boost their experience and knowhow in planning and executing space activities and enable their designers and engineers to learn and practice as early as possible."

]]> Fri, 23 MAY 2025 02:08:50 AEST Sydney, Australia (SPX) Apr 28, 2025 - The crew of Shenzhou XX has officially commenced handover operations aboard the Tiangong space station, working alongside their Shenzhou XIX predecessors.

Led by mission commander Senior Colonel Chen Dong, along with Colonel Chen Zhongrui and Colonel Wang Jie, the Shenzhou XX team was launched on Thursday afternoon aboard a Long March 2F rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

Following a six-and-a-half-hour journey, the Shenzhou XX spacecraft docked with the front port of the Tianhe core module-the central section of the Tiangong station-at 11:49 pm. After docking, the crew changed from their pressure suits into intravehicular work attire and prepared their spacecraft for station entry.

While this work progressed, Shenzhou XIX astronauts-mission commander Senior Colonel Cai Xuzhe, Lieutenant Colonel Song Lingdong, and Lieutenant Colonel Wang Haoze-waited inside the connection cabin. Upon completion of entry preparations, Cai's team opened the hatch at 1:17 am to welcome the incoming astronauts.

After an exchange of embraces, Cai congratulated Chen Dong on his return to the "Heavenly Palace," the English translation of Tiangong, and praised Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie for achieving their "spaceflight dreams." He added, "In the following days, let us work together to make our 'space home' better."

Chen Dong replied, "It feels great to return to the 'space home'. Let's make the best use of the next few days to finish the handover work."

The two teams then took group photographs to commemorate the historic moment, marking the sixth in-orbit rendezvous involving Chinese astronauts.

Both crews will collaborate over the next five days to complete the handover. The Shenzhou XIX crew is scheduled to depart and return to Earth, with their reentry capsule expected to land on Tuesday, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

Assigned as the 15th manned mission and ninth set of Tiangong occupants, the Shenzhou XX astronauts will undertake a broad range of duties during their six-month stay aboard the station.

]]> Fri, 23 MAY 2025 02:08:50 AEST Sydney, Australia (SPX) Apr 28, 2025 - China's decision in 2016 to designate April 24 as Space Day underscores the nation's growing commitment to space exploration. This momentum has intensified with the launch of the Long March 12 rocket from Wenchang in November 2024, which marked the first mission from the country's dedicated commercial spacecraft launch facility.

This successful mission solidified the role of the Wenchang site as a hub for commercial space launches, anchoring China's ambitions in a rapidly expanding industry driven by technological innovation and market demand. Government backing, along with falling costs and accelerated innovation cycles, has fueled the ascent of China's commercial space sector.

Globally, the United States remains the leader, with the Satellite Industry Association reporting $400 billion in global space revenue in 2023, of which $285 billion came from commercial satellite operations. Companies like SpaceX exemplify the vibrancy and investment allure of the US market, which captured 51 percent of global space-related equity investment according to venture firm Space Capital.

While China entered the global space market later, opening international launch services to clients in 1985 via the Long March rocket family, its domestic industry has surged in recent years. Data from the China Association for Quality shows the commercial space sector growing from 0.6 trillion yuan in 2018 to 1.9 trillion yuan in 2023, reflecting a robust annual growth rate of 23 percent.

With strategic policy emphasis, including mentions in the 2024 government work report, China now views commercial space activity as a catalyst for high-quality growth and a pillar of national innovation. The country is positioning its space industry as a new driver of economic development and a showcase of advanced manufacturing capabilities.

Despite rapid company growth, the absence of commercial launch infrastructure had constrained the sector. The debut of the civilian-built Hainan spaceport changes this dynamic. Featuring streamlined mission organization and innovative management models, the Hainan facility completes China's commercial launch value chain from rocket production to satellite applications.

The Hainan site includes China's first adaptable pad for medium-lift liquid-fuel rockets. This No 2 pad supports a broad range of missions, offering high compatibility, quick turnaround, and improved cost performance. Remote-controlled tracking systems further enhance mission reliability and efficiency.

This launch center now enables fast-paced and cost-effective missions, supporting deployment of satellite constellations for commercial and civilian use. It provides a springboard for broader infrastructure development in low-Earth orbit.

The Long March 12, China's largest single-core rocket with a 3.8-meter diameter, uses a modular design to improve payload efficiency and reduce costs. A new horizontal pre-launch assembly and testing method also contributes to faster, safer, and cheaper launch operations by eliminating vertical assembly structures and reducing logistical overhead.

This innovation paves the way for high-frequency launch cycles and expanded access to sun-synchronous and low-Earth orbits, accelerating the country's efforts to build robust satellite networks.

In March, China launched 18 satellites using a Long March 8 from the Hainan facility's No 1 pad. The momentum continues as the Hainan government announces new policy incentives, including initiatives focused on rocket reusability and recovery.

China is also pushing forward with its satellite internet initiatives, aiming to offer global broadband access. Reduced launch costs and increased mission cadence are making China a major contender in the space economy as of 2025.

The country's sustained investment in commercial launch capabilities is expected to introduce new technologies and business models, reinforcing China's growing role in the global space arena.

]]> Fri, 23 MAY 2025 02:08:50 AEST Sydney, Australia (SPX) Apr 24, 2025 - The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) has announced a new series of life science investigations to be conducted aboard the Tiangong space station during the Shenzhou XX crewed mission. The program includes novel biological studies involving zebra fish, planarians, and the soil bacterium Streptomyces.

For the first time, Chinese researchers will explore how planarians regenerate in space. Known for their exceptional ability to regrow organs, these flatworms could help scientists uncover fundamental insights into tissue regeneration under microgravity, with potential implications for treating injuries sustained during space travel.

"This project will enhance our understanding of fundamental mechanisms of regeneration at the individual level and could provide insights into human health issues related to space-induced injuries," said CMSA spokesperson Lin Xiqiang.

Building on the results of earlier missions involving zebra fish and fruit flies, the Shenzhou XX crew will revisit the zebra fish-hornwort co-cultivation ecosystem pioneered during Shenzhou XVIII. This time, the experiment will center on how protein balance in higher vertebrates is affected by microgravity, with a particular focus on bone loss and cardiovascular health.

In another key study, researchers will examine how Streptomyces responds to spaceflight conditions. These microbes, vital for maintaining healthy soil ecosystems and supporting plant growth, will be assessed for their expression of active compounds and enzymes. The goal is to identify new ways to harness microbial systems for future space-based biotechnologies.

Beyond life sciences, the Shenzhou XX mission will carry out an additional 59 experiments across fields such as microgravity physics and advanced space technology. Expected highlights include work on vascularized brain organoid chip development, research into soft matter dynamics outside of equilibrium, and efforts to produce high-temperature superconducting materials in space.

To date, China's orbiting laboratory has facilitated more than 200 scientific projects. CMSA reports that nearly 2 tonnes of research hardware and samples have been delivered to orbit, with close to 100 experiment samples already returned to Earth for analysis.

"Currently, we are conducting space science experiments according to plan, with all projects progressing smoothly," Lin said, adding that CMSA will continue to release updates, following its first report on the station's scientific achievements published in December 2024.

The launch of the Shenzhou XX spacecraft is scheduled for 5:17 pm Thursday (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China.

]]> Fri, 23 MAY 2025 02:08:50 AEST Sydney, Australia (SPX) Apr 24, 2025 - Chinese astronauts representing the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions are on track to make their inaugural spaceflight as early as 2026, according to an announcement from the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

At a press conference held at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, Lin Xiqiang, CMSA's deputy director, provided the first official confirmation of the anticipated mission timeline. He noted that the two astronauts, who arrived at the Astronaut Center of China in Beijing last August, have integrated smoothly into the training environment and are making steady progress.

"They have been getting along well with other astronauts and training diligently and hard," Lin said. "They are learning knowledge and skills to be used in space missions. As science payload specialists, one of them will take part in their first mission as early as 2026."

These astronauts were selected as part of China's fourth cohort of astronauts, a group that began formation in October 2022 and was finalized by June 2023. The class includes ten individuals: eight spacecraft pilots and two science payload specialists. Significantly, the two payload specialists hail from Hong Kong and Macao, marking a historic first for the inclusion of candidates from these regions in China's astronaut corps.

Training in Beijing since their selection, the group has undergone rigorous instruction, including academic lectures on space operations, resilience training, and customized physical conditioning. The Hong Kong and Macao astronauts have also received specialized coursework covering the legacy of China's space program and Mandarin language development, enhancing their preparedness for future missions.

Lin also shared updates on China's growing international partnerships in human spaceflight. He confirmed that Pakistan is currently selecting two astronauts for training in China. One of these astronauts is expected to serve aboard the Tiangong space station as a science payload specialist. This initiative stems from a bilateral agreement signed in February between CMSA and the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission, focused on collaboration in astronaut selection, training, and mission participation.

According to Lin, other nations have also expressed interest in sending astronauts to the Tiangong station, and discussions around such cooperative missions are actively underway.

]]> Fri, 23 MAY 2025 02:08:50 AEST Jiuquan, China (AFP) April 23, 2025 - China announced on Wednesday that a veteran astronaut will lead two crew members on their first flight to the Tiangong space station, the latest milestone in its race to send a manned mission to the Moon by 2030.

The Shenzhou-20 mission is scheduled to blast off at 5:17 pm on Thursday (0917 GMT) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), told a news conference.

At the helm will be Chen Dong, a 46-year-old former fighter pilot and experienced space explorer who, in 2022, became the first Chinese astronaut to spend more than 200 cumulative days in orbit.

Speaking about Thursday's Shenzhou mission -- which will be his third -- Chen said he was "still very excited".

"Every space journey is very unique, so I look forward to bringing in more experience and breakthroughs in the flight," the mission commander said.

Joining Chen will be two other male astronauts, Chen Zhongrui, a 40-year-old former air force pilot, and Wang Jie, a 35-year-old former space technology engineer.

Both will be embarking on their first space flight, Lin said.

"Today, I am on the point of realising my dream of flying in space," Chen Zhongrui told another news conference on Wednesday organised to introduce the astronauts to the public.

"To be honest, when we first started training together, we were still a little nervous," he said of himself and Wang.

"Now (the three crew members) are integrated like a single person," he said.

The astronauts currently aboard the Tiangong space station are scheduled to return to Earth on April 29 after completing handover procedures with the incoming crew, Lin said.

China's space programme, the third to put humans in orbit, has also landed robotic rovers on Mars and the Moon.

The Tiangong space station -- crewed by teams of three astronauts that are exchanged every six months -- is the crown jewel of China's space project.

This mission will "lay a firmer technological foundation for a crewed lunar mission and follow-up tasks", said Zhou Yaqiang, a top technology official at the China Manned Space Program.

- Space rivalry -

An AFP team joined a government tour of the remote launch site on Wednesday afternoon.

The rocket stood in desert sunlight encased in a sky-blue launch tower, surrounded by fluttering red flags bearing patriotic slogans.

Workers in blue jumpsuits buzzed around the tower and the whir of machinery could be heard.

China has ramped up plans to achieve its "space dream" under President Xi Jinping.

Beijing says it aims to send a crewed mission to the Moon by 2030, where it intends to construct a base on the lunar surface.

China has poured billions of dollars into its space programme in a bid to catch up with the United States and Russia and achieve its celestial goals.

Despite the program's "impressive" pace of development, China still "lags significantly behind the United States", Marc Julienne, director of the Center for Asian Studies at the French Institute of International Relations, told AFP.

However, US President Donald Trump "may inadvertently give China an edge by cutting budgets allocated to research and certain space programmes", he said.

Like previous missions, the Shenzhou-20 crew will conduct experiments in physics and life sciences and will install protective equipment against space debris.

For the first time, they will also bring aboard planarians -- aquatic flatworms known for their regenerative abilities.

"The results could help address problems related to injuries sustained in space environments," Lin said.

China has been excluded from the International Space Station since 2011, when the United States banned NASA from collaborating with Beijing.

It has since sought to bring other countries into its space programme.

China and Pakistan signed an agreement in February paving the way for the first foreign astronaut to board the Tiangong space station.

As part of this process, "two Pakistani astronauts will be selected to come to China for training", the CMSA confirmed on Wednesday.

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