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NASA Spaceflight • Martijn Luinstra

Space science in 2026: a crowded manifest of lunar explorers, Mars missions and next‑gen telescopes

2026's space‑science calendar features a dense launch manifest — multiple lunar landers and orbiters, at least one Mars mission and several next‑generation space telescopes — promising intensive scientific returns and a sustained high operational tempo for agencies, commercial launch providers and international partners.

2026-01-18T13:00:23.040662-08:00

SpaceNews.com

China suffers dual launch failures as Long March 3B loses classified Shijian and Ceres‑2 maiden flight fails

2026-01-17T02:45:55.426807-08:00

South China Morning Post

China tests S2000 'alien-looking' giant airship over Sichuan as airborne wind‑farm demonstrator

2026-01-17T20:12:58.881310-08:00

Reuters

EASA conducts validation test flights of COMAC C919 as China seeks European certification

2026-01-15T08:15:33.102843-08:00

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

eVTOL Insights

EHang names Shuai Feng CTO as it advances toward commercial eVTOL operations EHang has appointed Shuai Feng as Chief Technology Officer, a senior leadership change the company says is a key step as it advances toward commercial eVTOL operations. The move positions EHang to consolidate technical oversight as it pushes from demonstrations into operational phases.

2026-01-19T00:06:23.484553-08:00

EHang names Shuai Feng CTO as it advances toward commercial eVTOL operations

NASA Spaceflight

Space science in 2026: a crowded manifest of lunar explorers, Mars missions and next‑gen telescopes 2026's space‑science calendar features a dense launch manifest — multiple lunar landers and orbiters, at least one Mars mission and several next‑generation space telescopes — promising intensive scientific returns and a sustained high operational tempo for agencies, commercial launch providers and international partners.

2026-01-18T13:00:23.040662-08:00

Space science in 2026: a crowded manifest of lunar explorers, Mars missions and next‑gen telescopes

South China Morning Post

China tests S2000 'alien-looking' giant airship over Sichuan as airborne wind‑farm demonstrator China conducted an early‑January flight test of the S2000, a large, 'alien‑looking' airship, over Sichuan. The sortie — widely shared on social media — was presented as a potential step toward airborne wind farms and other energy‑generation concepts, signalling state and industry interest in lighter‑than‑air platforms.

2026-01-17T20:12:58.881310-08:00

China tests S2000 'alien-looking' giant airship over Sichuan as airborne wind‑farm demonstrator

SpaceNews.com

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China suffers dual launch failures as Long March 3B loses classified Shijian and Ceres‑2 maiden flight fails China experienced two launch failures Friday: a Long March 3B lost a classified Shijian satellite, and the debut Ceres‑2 rocket failed on its maiden flight, with both missions failing to place their payloads into orbit. The twin setbacks affect both an established launcher and a new vehicle.

2026-01-17T02:45:55.426807-08:00

China suffers dual launch failures as Long March 3B loses classified Shijian and Ceres‑2 maiden flight fails

Universe Today

Chang'e-6 sample analysis sheds light on Moon's far-side asymmetry Laboratory analysis of Chang'e-6 lunar samples provides new chemical and geological evidence that helps explain the Moon's nearside–farside dichotomy — the concentration of dark volcanic maria on the near side and the thicker, heavily cratered crust on the far side.

2026-01-16T16:12:40.876136-08:00

Chang'e-6 sample analysis sheds light on Moon's far-side asymmetry

SpaceNews.com

China completes static fire of reusable Long March 12B ahead of planned test flight China’s main space contractor performed a static fire test Friday of a new reusable Long March 12B rocket, completing a key ground check ahead of a planned test flight. The hot-fire verifies engine and stage systems as Beijing advances reusable-launch capabilities.

2026-01-16T10:26:20.173577-08:00

China completes static fire of reusable Long March 12B ahead of planned test flight

SpaceNews.com

China nears approval for twin probes to the solar system’s edge China has published coordinated technical papers describing two probes to the solar system’s boundary, a procedural step suggesting the long‑studied dual‑probe program is approaching formal approval. The papers outline mission concepts and coordination that could enable Chinese spacecraft to reach the solar system’s edge.

2026-01-16T03:47:37.266523-08:00

China nears approval for twin probes to the solar system’s edge

SpaceNews.com

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China launches Algeria's AlSat‑3A from Jiuquan and conducts Ceres‑1 sea launch to expand Tianqi IoT constellation China launched Algeria's AlSat‑3A from Jiuquan on Jan. 15 — an Earth‑observation/surveillance satellite for disaster prevention and land planning — and the following day a Ceres‑1 sea launch placed four Tianqi IoT telecom satellites into orbit, marking China’s third and fourth launches of 2026.

2026-01-16T03:09:22.805358-08:00

China launches Algeria's AlSat‑3A from Jiuquan and conducts Ceres‑1 sea launch to expand Tianqi IoT constellation

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Space science in 2026: a crowded manifest of lunar explorers, Mars missions and next‑gen telescopes

China suffers dual launch failures as Long March 3B loses classified Shijian and Ceres‑2 maiden flight fails

China tests S2000 'alien-looking' giant airship over Sichuan as airborne wind‑farm demonstrator

EASA conducts validation test flights of COMAC C919 as China seeks European certification

Hype Analysis

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

News Timeline