China's Groundbreaking Move: Doubling the Size of Its Space Station to Rival NASA-led ISS
China aims to enhance its space station by doubling its size to six modules, providing a viable alternative for near-Earth missions As the NASA-led International Space Station approaches its lifespan's end, this expansion offers astronauts from other nations an enticing platform
China intends to increase the number of modules in its space station from three to six in the future. This expansion will provide astronauts from other countries with an alternate option for near-Earth missions as the NASA-led International Space Station (ISS) approaches the end of its operational period. The China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), a key organization in China's space sector, announced at the 74th International Astronautical Congress in Baku, Azerbaijan, that the Chinese space station will have a lifespan of over 15 years.
The Chinese self-built space station, also known as Tiangong or Celestial Palace in Chinese, has been operational since late 2022, accommodating a maximum of three astronauts at an orbital altitude of up to 450 kilometers (280 miles), surpassing the previously announced 10-year mark.
After expanding to six modules, Tiangong now weighs 180 metric tons, which is only 40% of the mass of the ISS. The ISS has the capacity to accommodate a crew of seven astronauts and has been in orbit for over two decades. However, both the ISS and China's ambition to become a "major space power" are expected to see major developments by 2030.
A crowd photographs a screen displaying a video on China's Chang'e-5 moon probe at an event in Beijing on January 18, 2021, where information about global access to lunar samples collected by the probe was announced.
China's upcoming lunar mission is set to achieve a feat never accomplished before, showcasing its relentless space endeavors. In light of the International Space Station's anticipated phase-out, Chinese state media asserted last year that China would not lag behind, emphasizing that numerous nations had expressed interest in sending their astronauts to the Chinese space station.
However, China's hopes for space diplomacy suffered a setback when the European Space Agency (ESA) announced this year that it lacked the necessary financial resources or political approval to take part in the Tiangong project. This decision shelved a long-standing plan for European astronauts to visit the space station. The Global Times, a nationalist Chinese tabloid, criticized this move as a short-sighted decision, highlighting the impact of the US-led camp confrontation on a new space race.
Tiangong symbolizes China's increasing influence and self-assurance in its space programs, positioning itself as a rival to the United States in this arena following its disconnection from the ISS. Due to US legislation, there are strict prohibitions on any form of cooperation between China's space station and NASA, be it direct or indirect.
Russia, an active member of the ISS, has expressed parallel intentions in space diplomacy. Their proposal entails involving their partners from the BRICS coalition - Brazil, India, China, and South Africa - in the construction of a module for their own space station.
Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, said last year it was planning to build a space station comprising six modules that could accommodate up to four cosmonauts.
