China Plans to Conduct Around 100 Space Missions in 2024
China plans to carry out approximately 100 space missions in the upcoming year, potentially setting new records. The country’s first commercial space launch site is set to host its inaugural mission with multiple satellite constellations aiding in accelerating network construction. China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation is scheduled to organize nearly 70 aerospace launch missions, deploying over 290 spacecraft and executing a series of significant engineering tasks.
On February 26, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation unveiled the “China Aerospace Technology Blue Book (2023)” in Beijing, detailing the overall space mission scenario for 2024. This information was gathered during the event by attending journalists.
In 2024, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation plans to schedule around 70 aerospace launch missions, deploying over 290 spacecraft and carrying out a series of major engineering tasks. These include accomplishing the maiden flights of the Long March 6 and Long March 12 carrier rockets, transitioning the space station to regular operational mode, completing two cargo spacecraft launches, two manned spacecraft launches, and two return missions throughout the year. Furthermore, progress will be made on the lunar exploration Phase IV project by launching the Queqiao Relay Satellite, Chang’e 6 Lunar Probe, and achieving the world’s first lunar south pole sampling and return mission. Additionally, the launch of satellites such as the Ocean Salinity Detection Satellite, Electromagnetic Monitoring Satellite 02, China-France Astronomy Satellite, and Practice-19 will cater to various civilian applications and industry user needs. Efforts will also be made to expedite the construction of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation’s “New Generation Commercial Remote Sensing Satellite System.”
In 2024, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation’s research tasks will maintain a high intensity, advancing the manned moon exploration project, deep space exploration project, as well as the development of over 200 spacecraft including the new generation of near-earth manned spacecraft, Chang’e 7, Tianwen 2, and geostationary orbit microwave detection satellites. Over 230 carrier rocket launches are planned for production, and several commercial aerospace and full satellite export contracts are expected to be fulfilled.
Moreover, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation will handle multiple commercial launch missions, publicly disclosing excess payload information and offering launch opportunities to commercial clients, aiming to provide rapid, stable, and reliable “one-stop” launch services. By focusing on national major strategies and economic social development needs, efforts will be made to integrate and provide value-added services for the Beidou Navigation System, leveraging the company’s integrated advantages in satellite communication, navigation, remote sensing, and continuously integrating satellite applications into emerging fields to support regional economic development.
Furthermore, the Blue Book signifies that China conducted 67 launch missions in 2023, ranking second globally, developing and launching 221 spacecraft, setting new records in both launch frequency and spacecraft quantity for China. Among these, the Long March series carrier rockets completed 47 successful launches, surpassing a cumulative total of 500 launches, while 20 commercial rocket launches were also executed. (Reporters: Hu Zhe, Song Chen)
On February 23, 2024, at 19:30, China successfully launched the 11th communication technology test satellite into orbit using a Long March 5 Y7 carrier rocket at the Wenchang Space Launch Center. The satellite entered its designated orbit smoothly, marking the successful completion of the first launch mission of the year of the Dragon. (Xinhua News Agency, photo by Du Xinxin)