According to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), in 2026, China's manned space program will implement the 14th Five-Year Plan, focus on two key tasks: space station application and development, and manned lunar exploration. It will make efforts to promote the construction of a space power. At present, the China Space Station is operating stably in orbit, and the research and construction of the lunar landing phase of the manned lunar exploration project are progressing smoothly with phased breakthroughs.
Space Station Application: Steady Progress and New Missions in 2026
Since entering the application and development phase, the program has successfully completed 6 manned spaceflights, 4 cargo supply missions and 7 spacecraft return missions. It has also carried out the first emergency launch. Six astronaut crews (18 person-times) have stayed in orbit for a long time, completed 13 extravehicular activities and multiple payload deployment tasks, and set a world record for the longest single extravehicular activity.
The China Space Station has deployed 267 scientific and application projects, covering space life science, microgravity physics, space new technologies and other fields. Many internationally leading achievements have been made, and some have been transformed and applied to promote the development of space science in China.
In 2026, China plans to carry out 2 manned spaceflights and 1 cargo supply mission. Astronauts from Hong Kong and Macao are expected to perform space station missions this year. One astronaut of the Shenzhou-23 crew will carry out a one-year in-orbit stay test to verify long-term in-orbit technologies.
Targeting 2030 Lunar Landing: Accelerating Supporting Construction
To realize the goal of Chinese astronauts landing on the moon before 2030, the research and development of core products such as the Long March 10 carrier rocket, Mengzhou manned spacecraft and Lanyue lunar lander are progressing smoothly. A number of key tests have been completed successfully.
In 2026, China will fully promote the construction of supporting facilities for lunar landing missions at the Wenchang Space Launch Center, as well as the construction of ground support systems such as measurement and control communication and landing sites, to lay a solid foundation for the 2030 lunar landing goal.
Adhering to Open Cooperation and Sharing Space Achievements
Since its establishment, China's manned space program has adhered to the principles of peaceful use, equality and mutual benefit, and common development, and actively promoted international cooperation. In 2025, China and Pakistan signed an agreement on astronaut selection and training. One Pakistani astronaut is expected to enter the China Space Station as a payload specialist in 2026 to carry out scientific experiments.
CMSA will continue to promote cooperation with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. China welcomes global peers to participate in and share the achievements of China's manned space program, and work together to promote the peaceful use of outer space.
2026 is a crucial year for China's manned space program. With steady progress in space station missions and accelerated promotion of lunar landing preparations, China's space industry will continue to move forward towards the goal of building a space power.