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SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

China to conduct in‑flight abort test of new Mengzhou crew spacecraft next week

China will conduct an in‑flight abort test of its new-generation Mengzhou crew spacecraft next week, a critical validation of its crew‑safety systems and an essential milestone in Beijing’s human spaceflight programme. The trial will assess the vehicle’s ability to separate and protect a crew during a launch emergency.

2026-02-06T02:22:21.294454-08:00

Space.com

China joins race to build orbital data centers with new five‑year plan

2026-02-05T11:08:32.063130-08:00

NASA Spaceflight

Despite early launch failures, China heads into a busy 2026 spaceflight slate

2026-02-05T10:24:26.773669-08:00

chinaevtolnews.com

AutoFlight's Matrix completes public full‑transition — 5‑ton, 10‑seat eVTOL unveiled

2026-02-05T02:35:49.641215-08:00

Hype Analysis

China's Aviation Industry in September 2024: Key Developments and Trends

October 3, 2024 - China's aviation industry in September 2024 expanded international routes, advanced the COMAC C919, and navigated competitive pressures. Read More.

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

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China to conduct in‑flight abort test of new Mengzhou crew spacecraft next week China will conduct an in‑flight abort test of its new-generation Mengzhou crew spacecraft next week, a critical validation of its crew‑safety systems and an essential milestone in Beijing’s human spaceflight programme. The trial will assess the vehicle’s ability to separate and protect a crew during a launch emergency.

2026-02-06T02:22:21.294454-08:00

China to conduct in‑flight abort test of new Mengzhou crew spacecraft next week

Reuters

China flexes military and civil aviation muscle at 2026 Singapore Airshow China used the 2026 Singapore Airshow to flex military and civil aviation capabilities and court regional delegations as Beijing sharpens influence in Southeast Asia. The event staged strategic signalling and export competition—US, Chinese and Russian fighters were displayed and China unveiled a Luanniao near‑space "flying aircraft carrier" concept that experts question.

2026-02-05T23:29:00.278108-08:00

China flexes military and civil aviation muscle at 2026 Singapore Airshow

Space.com

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China joins race to build orbital data centers with new five‑year plan Beijing unveiled a five‑year plan to develop space‑based data centers, formalizing state support as commercial and national actors compete to host cloud and AI compute in orbit. U.S. companies are also pursuing solar‑powered orbital data centers as terrestrial power limits and demand push compute off Earth.

2026-02-05T11:08:32.063130-08:00

China joins race to build orbital data centers with new five‑year plan

NASA Spaceflight

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Despite early launch failures, China heads into a busy 2026 spaceflight slate China suffered two launch failures early in the year, but multiple major launches and missions remain scheduled for 2026, leaving Beijing with a crowded spaceflight manifest. Observers will watch vehicle fixes, schedule resilience and the outcomes of several high‑profile missions as the year unfolds.

2026-02-05T10:24:26.773669-08:00

Despite early launch failures, China heads into a busy 2026 spaceflight slate

Reuters

Senators ask Pentagon to review SpaceX over alleged secret Chinese investor stakes Democratic U.S. senators have urged the Pentagon to launch an immediate review of SpaceX after allegations that Chinese investors secretly acquired stakes in the closely held rocket company, warning of potential national-security risks and requesting a swift departmental assessment, a Reuters-seen letter said.

2026-02-05T04:23:30.469586-08:00

Senators ask Pentagon to review SpaceX over alleged secret Chinese investor stakes

chinaevtolnews.com

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AutoFlight's Matrix completes public full‑transition — 5‑ton, 10‑seat eVTOL unveiled Chinese eVTOL developer AutoFlight unveiled the Matrix, a 5‑ton‑class, 10‑seat electric VTOL with passenger and cargo variants, and completed a public full‑transition flight demonstration at its low‑altitude test facility. The company bills the Matrix as the world’s first five‑ton eVTOL, a move toward larger AAM platforms.

2026-02-05T02:35:49.641215-08:00

AutoFlight's Matrix completes public full‑transition — 5‑ton, 10‑seat eVTOL unveiled

AINonline

United Aircraft of China debuts tandem-rotor unmanned helicopter for firefighting, cargo and medevac United Aircraft of China revealed a tandem-rotor unmanned helicopter, positioning the type for a broad set of missions including aerial firefighting, utility work, point-to-point cargo delivery and medevac operations. The company presented the platform as adaptable to heavy-lift and specialized aerial-work roles.

2026-02-04T23:15:33.910231-08:00

United Aircraft of China debuts tandem-rotor unmanned helicopter for firefighting, cargo and medevac

Reuters

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Aerospace Times Feipeng ramps up Southeast Asia and Middle East push amid fierce domestic drone competition Chinese civil drone maker Aerospace Times Feipeng is accelerating expansion into Southeast Asia and the Middle East to offset intense domestic competition, a company executive said. The strategy prioritizes international sales, local partnerships and market diversification as growth prospects tighten at home.

2026-02-04T22:13:54.444873-08:00

Aerospace Times Feipeng ramps up Southeast Asia and Middle East push amid fierce domestic drone competition

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China News

China to conduct in‑flight abort test of new Mengzhou crew spacecraft next week

China joins race to build orbital data centers with new five‑year plan

Despite early launch failures, China heads into a busy 2026 spaceflight slate

AutoFlight's Matrix completes public full‑transition — 5‑ton, 10‑seat eVTOL unveiled

Hype Analysis

China's Aviation Industry in September 2024: Key Developments and Trends

News Timeline