What is the China Manned Space Agency and Why is It Important?

Building a Permanent Presence in Orbit

The story of the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) is one of methodical, step-by-step progress, culminating in the establishment of a permanent human presence in low Earth orbit. Operating with a long-term vision, the agency has methodically developed the technologies, hardware, and expertise necessary to become one of only three entities capable of independently launching humans into space. From its first astronaut flight to the construction of a modern, multi-module space station, the CMSA has established itself as a major player in 21st-century space exploration. Its work isn’t just about national prestige; it’s about scientific discovery, technological development, and securing a foothold for future ambitions that extend to the Moon and beyond.

The agency directs China’s human spaceflight program, known as Project 921. It oversees everything from astronaut selection and training to spacecraft development, mission planning, and the operation of the Tiangong space station. Unlike its American counterpart, NASA, which is a civilian agency, the CMSA is an entity within the Chinese military apparatus, specifically the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission. This structure reflects the program’s origins and its strategic importance to the nation. With the completion of Tiangong, the CMSA now manages a world-class orbital laboratory, inviting international collaboration on its own terms and charting an independent course in space.

A Foundation Built on Deliberate Steps

China’s ambition for human spaceflight dates back decades before its first successful launch. The earliest formal effort, known as Project 714, began in the 1970s with the goal of sending two astronauts into space by 1973 in a spacecraft called Shuguang. The project involved selecting astronaut candidates and developing preliminary hardware, but it was ultimately canceled due to economic and political challenges. The lessons from this early attempt were not lost.

The modern human spaceflight program was born in 1992 with the official approval of Project 921. This was a far more comprehensive and well-funded initiative, designed as a three-phase plan to achieve a permanent presence in space.

The first phase was to develop a crewed spacecraft and demonstrate the ability to safely send astronauts into orbit and return them to Earth. This led to the creation of the Shenzhou spacecraft, a vehicle with a design heritage influenced by the Russian Soyuz but with significant indigenous modifications and upgrades. The program’s architects understood that success depended on mastering foundational technologies. Between 1999 and 2002, the CMSA launched four uncrewed test missions, from Shenzhou 1 to Shenzhou 4. Each flight tested critical systems, including life support, orbital maneuvering, and atmospheric reentry, paving the way for the historic flight of China’s first astronaut.

The second phase involved testing key technologies for long-duration spaceflight and orbital docking. This meant developing prototype space laboratories, a necessary precursor to a large, permanent station. This phase was about learning to live and work in space for extended periods and mastering the complex maneuvers of rendezvous and docking, where two spacecraft meet and connect in orbit while traveling at immense speeds.

The third and final phase, which is now complete, was the construction of a large, modular space station capable of supporting astronauts for long-term stays and conducting a wide range of scientific experiments. This deliberate, phased approach allowed the CMSA to build its capabilities incrementally, ensuring each step was successful before moving to the next, more complex challenge. It’s a strategy that has defined the program’s character: patient, systematic, and focused on the long-term objective.

The Shenzhou Program: China’s Gateway to Space

The Shenzhou program is the cornerstone of China’s human spaceflight capabilities. The name, which translates to “Divine Vessel,” is fitting for the vehicle that has carried every Chinese astronaut, or taikonaut, into orbit. The spacecraft consists of three modules: a forward orbital module, which provides extra living space and can carry experiments; a central reentry module, which is the only part that returns to Earth with the crew; and a rear service module, which contains the propulsion, power, and other life support systems.

The program achieved its first major milestone on October 15, 2003, with the launch of Shenzhou 5. Onboard was Yang Liwei, a former fighter pilot who became the first Chinese citizen in space. He orbited the Earth 14 times during a 21-hour mission, concluding with a safe landing in Inner Mongolia. The flight was a moment of immense national pride and a clear demonstration of China’s technological prowess. It instantly placed China in an exclusive club, alongside Russia and the United States, as a nation capable of independent human spaceflight.

Following this success, the CMSA moved quickly to build on its capabilities. Shenzhou 6, launched in 2005, carried two taikonauts, Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng, for a five-day mission. This flight proved China could support a multi-person crew and conduct operations in orbit. A more significant leap came in 2008 with Shenzhou 7. The mission’s primary objective was to perform China’s first extravehicular activity (EVA), or spacewalk. Taikonaut Zhai Zhigang exited the orbital module for a short but highly symbolic walk in open space, retrieving a science experiment mounted on the exterior. It was a complex and dangerous undertaking that proved the agency had mastered another essential capability for space station construction and maintenance.

With the foundational skills of launch, recovery, and EVA secured, the Shenzhou program transitioned to its next role: a transport vehicle for the Tiangong space laboratories. From Shenzhou 8 onward, the missions were focused on rendezvous and docking, a skill set that would be indispensable for building a larger station. Today, the Shenzhou spacecraft continues its role as the workhorse of the Chinese human spaceflight program, reliably ferrying crews to and from the Tiangong space station on regular six-month rotations.

The Tiangong Laboratories: Stepping Stones to a Station

Before committing to a massive, multi-billion-dollar space station, the CMSA needed to test the technologies required to build and operate one. This was the purpose of the Tiangong program’s first two space laboratories. These were not permanent stations but small, single-module prototypes designed for short-term stays to validate life support, docking systems, and other critical technologies.

Tiangong-1, or “Heavenly Palace 1,” was launched in September 2011. It was a relatively small craft, about 10 meters long, with a docking port at one end. A few months after its launch, the uncrewed Shenzhou 8 successfully performed the program’s first automated rendezvous and docking with the lab. This was a landmark achievement, demonstrating the precision guidance and control systems needed for future construction. In 2012, the Shenzhou 9 mission carried three taikonauts, including Liu Yang, the first Chinese woman in space, who successfully docked with Tiangong-1 and lived aboard for over a week. The following year, the crew of Shenzhou 10 conducted a similar mission. Having served its purpose, Tiangong-1 ended its operational life and performed a controlled deorbit over the Pacific Ocean in 2018.

Tiangong-2 was launched in 2016. It was a more advanced laboratory, designed to test technologies for the permanent station, including in-orbit refueling and more sophisticated life support systems. The crew of Shenzhou 11 spent 30 days aboard Tiangong-2, a new Chinese human spaceflight endurance record at the time. This mission was a dress rehearsal for the long-duration stays that would become routine on the future space station. The lab also hosted a range of scientific experiments. After completing all its objectives, Tiangong-2 was also deorbited in 2019.

The two Tiangong laboratories were an unqualified success. They allowed the CMSA to test every key technology and operational procedure needed for a permanent station in a low-risk, methodical way. They served as invaluable platforms for gaining experience in orbital mechanics, crew health, and systems management, laying a solid foundation for the ambitious construction project that was to follow.

Tiangong Space Station: A Palace in the Heavens

The culmination of Project 921’s three-phase plan is the Tiangong space station. Unlike its predecessors, Tiangong is a large, multi-module T-shaped structure, comparable in size to the former Russian Mir space station. It represents a significant leap in capability, providing a permanent outpost in orbit for scientific research and technological development.

The construction of the station began in April 2021 with the launch of the core module, Tianhe, which means “Harmony of the Heavens.” This 16.6-meter-long module is the heart of the station, providing the main living quarters for a crew of three, as well as the central command and control functions. It has a docking hub that allows for the attachment of additional modules, visiting Shenzhou crew spacecraft, and Tianzhou cargo ships. The Tianhe module is also equipped with a large robotic arm, which has been instrumental in the station’s assembly and will be used for future maintenance and experiments.

In 2022, the station was expanded with the addition of two laboratory modules. The first, Wentian (“Quest for the Heavens”), was launched in July. It serves primarily as a platform for life science and biotechnology experiments and includes an airlock for spacewalks. It also has its own control systems, allowing it to serve as a backup for the Tianhe core module. The second laboratory, Mengtian (“Dreaming of the Heavens”), arrived in October. Mengtian is dedicated to microgravity research in fields like fluid physics, materials science, and combustion. It also features a unique airlock designed to transfer scientific payloads and small satellites to the outside of the station for deployment.

With the arrival of Mengtian, the basic T-shaped structure of the Tiangong station was complete. The entire assembly process in orbit, which involved multiple launches and complex robotic arm maneuvers, was completed in just over 18 months—a remarkably fast construction timeline.

The station is sustained by the Tianzhou (“Heavenly Vessel”) cargo spacecraft. These uncrewed vehicles are launched regularly to deliver supplies, equipment, and propellant to keep the station and its crew operational. They function much like the Progress and Cygnus spacecraft that service the International Space Station (ISS).

Life aboard Tiangong has become routine, with crews of three taikonauts serving six-month missions. They conduct hundreds of scientific experiments, perform regular maintenance, and carry out spacewalks to upgrade the station’s exterior. Tiangong is expected to operate for at least 10 years and could be expanded with additional modules in the future.

The Taikonaut Corps: Pioneers in Orbit

The human element of China’s space program is its corps of astronauts, known in China as hángtiānyuán and often referred to as taikonauts in English-speaking countries. The selection process is exceptionally rigorous, drawing primarily from the ranks of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force. Candidates undergo extensive physical and psychological screening to ensure they can withstand the rigors of spaceflight.

The first two groups of taikonauts were all former military pilots. This reflects a common pattern in the early days of human spaceflight programs worldwide, where the skills of test pilots—grace under pressure, technical proficiency, and peak physical condition—were seen as ideal for astronauts. The training is comprehensive, covering everything from theoretical physics and spacecraft systems to survival training in deserts and oceans in case of an off-course landing. They spend countless hours in simulators, practicing every phase of their missions, from launch to docking and landing. Spacewalk training is conducted in large neutral buoyancy pools, where underwater conditions simulate the weightlessness of space.

Over the years, the corps has grown and diversified. The third group of taikonauts, selected in 2020, included not just pilots but also flight engineers and payload specialists drawn from civilian backgrounds, such as scientists and engineers. This shift reflects the evolving nature of the program, moving from initial exploration to long-term scientific utilization of the Tiangong station.

Several taikonauts have become national heroes. Yang Liwei, the first in space, is an iconic figure. Zhai Zhigang, the first spacewalker, and Liu Yang, the first woman in space, are also celebrated. Wang Yaping, who flew on Shenzhou 10 and later became the first Chinese woman to perform a spacewalk during her mission to the Tiangong station on Shenzhou 13, is famous for conducting live science lectures from orbit, inspiring millions of students back on Earth.

With the Tiangong station fully operational, the taikonaut corps is busier than ever. The regular crew rotations demand a constant state of readiness and a deep pool of trained personnel. The agency has also indicated that future selection rounds will continue to broaden the pool of candidates, ensuring the right mix of skills is available for the scientific work being done in orbit.

Ground-Based Infrastructure: The Unseen Foundation

The success of any space mission depends on a vast and complex network of ground-based infrastructure. The CMSA relies on a series of highly sophisticated facilities spread across China, each with a specialized role.

The primary launch site for all of China’s crewed missions is the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, located in the Gobi Desert. Its remote location and favorable climate make it an ideal site for launches. It has the facilities for vehicle assembly, testing, and fueling, as well as the launch pad itself. The heavy modules for the Tiangong space station were launched from a newer facility, the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on Hainan Island. Wenchang is located closer to the equator, which allows rockets to get a velocity boost from the Earth’s rotation, enabling them to carry heavier payloads into orbit.

The rockets that carry China’s taikonauts and station modules belong to the Long March family, developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. The Long March 2F is the workhorse for Shenzhou missions. It is considered one of the safest and most reliable rockets in the world, featuring a launch escape system designed to pull the crew capsule away from the rocket in case of an emergency. The massive Tiangong modules were launched atop the Long March 5B, China’s most powerful rocket.

Once a mission is in orbit, command and control shift to the Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Center (BACC). BACC is the nerve center of the human spaceflight program, responsible for monitoring the spacecraft’s trajectory, communicating with the crew, and managing all orbital operations. To maintain constant contact with its spacecraft as they orbit the globe, China uses a network of ground-based tracking stations and a fleet of Yuanwang-class tracking ships that can be positioned in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. This network ensures there are no communication blackouts, which is essential for crew safety and mission success.

Future Horizons: The Moon and Beyond

With the Tiangong space station now operational, the CMSA is setting its sights on more distant destinations. The agency has officially announced its intention to land taikonauts on the Moon before 2030. This ambitious goal is driving the development of a new generation of spacecraft and launch vehicles.

The plans include a new crewed spacecraft, currently known as the “Next-Generation Crewed Spacecraft,” which is larger than Shenzhou and designed for deep-space missions. A prototype of its reentry capsule was successfully tested in 2020. Unlike Shenzhou, this new vehicle is designed to be partially reusable. The agency is also developing a super heavy-lift rocket, the Long March 9, which will be capable of sending the heavy payloads required for lunar missions, including landers and surface habitats.

China’s lunar exploration program is not envisioned as a solo effort. In collaboration with Russia’s Roscosmos, China is leading the development of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). This project is planned as a scientific outpost located at the lunar south pole, likely built in stages, starting with robotic missions and eventually hosting long-term human crews. The project is open to other international partners, positioning it as a parallel effort to the US-led Artemis Program.

Beyond the Moon, Mars is the long-term objective. While concrete timelines have not been established, a human mission to Mars is seen as the eventual pinnacle of space exploration. The experience gained from long-duration missions on Tiangong and the development of lunar infrastructure are all seen as stepping stones toward that ultimate goal.

Another significant upcoming project is the Xuntian Space Telescope. While not a CMSA mission in the strictest sense, it is deeply connected to the human spaceflight program. Xuntian will be a large observatory with a field of view 300 times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope. It will not be attached to Tiangong but will fly in the same orbit, allowing it to dock with the station for repairs, upgrades, and maintenance by taikonauts—a capability that Hubble has relied on from the Space Shuttle and which is a major advantage for ensuring the telescope’s longevity.

International Cooperation in a Shifting Landscape

The geopolitical context of space exploration has shaped the CMSA’s approach to international cooperation. For many years, the primary platform for international collaboration in human spaceflight has been the International Space Station, a partnership between the US, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada. China has not been a partner in the ISS program. US law, specifically a 2011 provision known as the Wolf Amendment, effectively prohibits NASA from engaging in bilateral cooperation with Chinese state entities like the CMSA without specific congressional approval.

This exclusion has, in part, spurred China to develop its own independent capabilities. With the Tiangong space station now operational and the ISS nearing the end of its planned service life around 2030, the dynamic is shifting. The CMSA has actively invited international participation on Tiangong. Through a program run in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, scientific experiments from 17 countries have been selected to fly on the station. These include projects from nations with established space programs, like Switzerland and Germany, as well as from developing countries, like Kenya and Peru.

This makes Tiangong a distinct and alternative platform for global space science. It allows countries that are not partners in the ISS program to gain access to a state-of-the-art microgravity laboratory. The CMSA has also signed cooperation agreements with multiple space agencies, including Roscosmos and the European Space Agency (ESA), on various aspects of space science and astronaut training, although the scope of these collaborations can be influenced by broader geopolitical considerations. The ILRS project is another example of China building an international coalition around its long-term space exploration goals.

Summary

The China Manned Space Agency has executed a patient and highly successful long-term strategy to become a leading power in human spaceflight. Following a deliberate, three-phase plan, it developed the Shenzhou spacecraft to carry its taikonauts, used the Tiangong prototype labs to master orbital operations, and constructed a permanent, multi-module space station. Each step was built on the success of the last, reflecting a philosophy of incremental progress and risk mitigation.

Today, the agency operates the Tiangong space station, a sophisticated scientific outpost that ensures a permanent Chinese presence in low Earth orbit. With a reliable transportation system and a growing corps of taikonauts, the CMSA is now focused on maximizing the scientific return from its orbital laboratory. At the same time, it is developing the next generation of hardware to achieve its next great ambition: landing humans on the Moon and establishing a research base there. In a world where access to space is of growing strategic and scientific importance, the CMSA has secured an independent and capable path, positioning itself as a central player in the future of human exploration.