BEIJING, OCT 15 – China launched a national mid- and long-term development program for space science that will guide the country’s space research mission planning from 2024 to 2050.
The first-ever program of its kind at the national level was jointly released by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the China National Space Administration and the China Manned Space Agency at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office today.
The program outlines 17 priority areas under five main scientific themes, as well as a three-phase plan.
The five main scientific themes are the extreme universe, space-time ripples, Sun-Earth panoramic view, habitable planets, and biological and physical science in space, according to Ding Chibiao, CAS vice president.
The extreme universe theme focuses on the exploration of the origin and evolution of the universe, revealing physical laws under extreme cosmic conditions.
The space-time ripple theme is focused on the detection of medium-to-low-frequency gravitational waves and primordial gravitational waves, with the aim of revealing the nature of gravity and space-time.
The theme of the Sun-Earth panoramic view involves an exploration of the sun, Earth and heliosphere to unravel the physical and legal processes that govern the complex interactions in the Sun-Earth system.
Scientists will also explore habitable planets in the solar system and exoplanets, as well as search for extraterrestrial life.
The theme of biological science and physics in space aims to reveal the laws of the movement of matter and the activity of life under the conditions of space to deepen the understanding of basic physics, such as quantum mechanics and general relativity.
The program has also outlined a plan for the development of space science in China until 2050 in which the first phase by 2027, China will focus on the operation of the space station, implementing lunar exploration projects. Five to eight space science satellite missions will be approved during that period, according to the program.
The international lunar research station initiated by China will be built during the second phase from 2028 to 2035, and about 15 scientific satellite missions will be carried out during this period.
Next for the third phase from 2036 to 2050, China will launch more than 30 space science missions. – Xinhua
