China Expands Space Station Ambitions: From Three to Six Modules

China is gearing up to enhance its space station, expanding it from three to six modules in the years ahead. This move offers space explorers from other nations an alternative platform for missions near Earth, especially as the International Space Station (ISS) led by NASA approaches the end of its expected operational life.

During the 74th International Astronautical Congress in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Chinese Academy of Space Technology revealed on Wednesday that the operational span of the Chinese space station is projected to exceed 15 years, surpassing the initially stated ten-year period.

Known as Tiangong or the Heavenly Palace in Chinese, this self-constructed space station has been fully operational since late 2022. It currently accommodates a maximum of three astronauts in orbit at an altitude of up to 450 kilometers.

Even with the expansion to six modules, the mass of Tiangong, at 180 tons, remains below 40 percent of the International Space Station’s mass, which has the capacity for a seven-member astronaut crew.

While the International Space Station, operational for more than two decades, is expected to retire post-2030, China has ambitious plans to become a “major space power” by that time.

Chinese state media reported last year, upon Tiangong’s full operational status, that China is determined not to “ease up” as the retirement of the International Space Station approaches. The report mentioned that “several countries” have expressed interest in sending astronauts to the Chinese space station.