China is planning an ambitious series of space missions in 2025, including asteroid exploration, crewed flights, and increased international cooperation. These missions highlight China's growing capabilities and ambitions in space.
Tianwen-2: Asteroid Exploration
The Tianwen-2 mission is set to explore the near-Earth asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa and the main-belt comet 311P/PANSTARRS. The mission aims to collect samples from Kamoʻoalewa, a quasi-satellite of Earth, and study comet 311P/PANSTARRS. The spacecraft will rendezvous with Kamoʻoalewa, conduct remote sensing observations, and collect approximately 100 grams of regolith.
Shenzhou Crewed Missions
The Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21 crewed missions are scheduled to launch in 2025. These missions will continue to support the operations of China's Tiangong space station. The Shenzhou-20 mission is expected to launch on April 24, 2025, and will carry three taikonauts to the Tiangong space station. The astronauts will conduct scientific experiments and perform extravehicular activities during their six-month stay.
International Collaboration
China is also focusing on international collaboration in space exploration. The China-Europe joint mission, Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE), will study the interaction between the solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere. China will also collaborate with Italy on an electromagnetic monitoring satellite for earthquake prediction research.