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China
Space industry, companies, and programs in China
Region
Asia
Space Agency
CNSA
China National Space Administration
Space Budget
~$14B estimated
Companies
4
0 public + 4 private
About China's Space Industry
China has rapidly become the world's second-largest space power, operating its own Tiangong space station, completing lunar sample-return missions, and building a commercial launch sector with companies like LandSpace, Galactic Energy, and iSpace China. The China National Space Administration plans crewed Moon landings by 2030 and is developing an International Lunar Research Station.
Private Companies
Venture-backed and private space companies based in China
LS
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LandSpace
China • Est. 2015
Launch (Methane Rockets)
~CNY 30B (~$4.1B) implied by July 2025 STAR Market IPO filing seeking CNY 7.5B raise
GE
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Galactic Energy
China • Est. 2018
Small Launch
~CNY 15B (~$2.1B) implied by Series D round (Sep 2025); pre-IPO counseling in progress
SP
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Space Pioneer
China • Est. 2019
Medium-Lift Reusable
Implied ~CNY 25B+ (~$3.5B) post-money following combined Pre-D + D rounds (Oct 2025); IPO counseling rumored
DB
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Deep Blue Aerospace
China • Est. 2016
Reusable Launch
Not publicly disclosed; Series B-IV implied valuation roughly CNY 5–6B (~$700–850M)
Space Programs
Government and agency programs associated with China
Chinese Space Station (Tiangong)
activeCNSA / 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.
Estimated $8–10B total program
Chang'e Lunar Program
activeCNSA • 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).
Estimated $2B+ cumulative
Long March Next-Generation Rockets
activeCNSA / 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.
Estimated $3B+ development
Tianwen Mars Program
activeCNSA • 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.
Estimated $1B+ (Tianwen-1); additional funding for Tianwen-3 sample return
Chinese Crewed Lunar Program
activeCMSA / 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.
Estimated $5B+ (combined launcher, spacecraft, and lander development)
International Lunar Research Station (ILRS)
plannedCNSA / 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.
Estimated $10B+ (multi-nation)
Tianwen-2 (Asteroid Sample Return)
plannedCNSA • 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.
Undisclosed (est. >$500M)
Chang'e 7 (Lunar South Pole)
plannedCNSA • 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.
Undisclosed
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