China

CNSA / CMS • 2021–2030s

China's permanently crewed modular space station completed assembly in 2022. Consists of Tianhe core module, Wentian and Mengtian lab modules. Continuous 3-person crew rotation with Shenzhou spacecraft. Conducting hundreds of science experiments. Planning expansion to 6-module configuration by 2030. Will be the only operational large space station after ISS retirement.

CNSA • 2007–2030s

China's systematic lunar exploration program. Chang'e 5 returned 1.73 kg of lunar samples in 2020 — first sample return since 1976. Chang'e 6 made history in Jun 2024 by returning the first-ever samples from the Moon's far side (South Pole-Aitken Basin). Chang'e 7 and 8 are planned to survey the south pole and test in-situ resource utilization for a future International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).

CNSA / CASC • 2020–2030

China's development of new-generation launch vehicles. The Long March 10 (crew-rated, 70t to LEO) will support crewed lunar missions. The Long March 9 (super heavy-lift, 150t to LEO) rivals Starship/SLS for deep space. China is also developing commercial reusable rockets — multiple private companies (LandSpace, iSpace, Deep Blue Aerospace) testing vertical landing.

CNSA • 2020–2030s

China's Mars exploration program. Tianwen-1 arrived at Mars in Feb 2021, deploying the Zhurong rover in Utopia Planitia — making China the second country to operate a rover on Mars. Zhurong traveled 1.9 km over 347 sols before entering hibernation in May 2022 due to dust accumulation; contact has not been re-established. Tianwen-2 (asteroid sample return) is a separate but related deep space mission. Tianwen-3 is China's planned Mars sample return mission targeting 2028–2030, which could return Martian soil to Earth before NASA's MSR.

CMSA / CASC • 2023–2030

China's program to land astronauts on the Moon by approximately 2030. Uses the new Long March 10 crew-rated rocket (two launches per mission) and the Mengzhou crew capsule with a dedicated Lanyue lunar lander. The architecture requires two LM-10 launches — one carrying the crew in Mengzhou and one carrying the Lanyue lander — that rendezvous in lunar orbit. China selected its 4th batch of astronauts in 2024 including payload specialists and engineers. If successful, China becomes the second nation to land humans on the Moon.

CNSA / Roscosmos / Partners • 2026–2035

China-led international lunar base program as an alternative to the US-led Artemis Accords framework. Over 10 countries and organizations have signed up including Russia, Pakistan, Venezuela, South Africa, Egypt, and others. Phase 1 (2026-2030) establishes robotic infrastructure. Phase 2 (2031-2035) enables short-term crewed stays. Uses Chang'e 7 & 8 as precursor missions.

CNSA • 2025–2030

China's first asteroid sample return mission targeting near-Earth asteroid 469219 Kamo'oalewa (2016 HO3), a quasi-satellite of Earth that may be a fragment of the Moon. Will collect surface samples and return them to Earth, then continue to flyby a main-belt comet. If successful, China joins Japan and the US as the only nations to return asteroid samples.

CNSA • 2026–2027

Complex multi-vehicle mission to explore the Moon's south pole region. Includes an orbiter, lander, rover, and a mini-flying probe that will hop into permanently shadowed craters to search for water ice. Key precursor to China's planned International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). Will provide the most detailed data yet on south polar ice deposits.