---
title: "China Is Launching Three Missions to Construct Its Space Station"
description: "China is set to launch three missions to kick off the construction of its space station. The first launch could happen as soon as this spring."
date: "2021-01-07"
modified: "2021-01-07"
authors:
  - name: "Victor Tangermann"
    job_title: "Senior Editor"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/china-launching-space-station"
categories:
  - "Off-World"
  - "Space"
tags:
  - "china"
  - "china space station"
  - "the digest"
---

# China Is Launching Three Missions to Construct Its Space Station

![China is set to launch three missions to kick off the construction of its space station. The first launch could happen as soon as this spring.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/china-launching-space-station.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: CMSE\</em\>*

## Space Station

China is set to launch three missions to kick off the construction of its space station, [*SpaceNews* reports](<https://spacenews.com/china-gears-up-for-space-station-cargo-and-crewed-mission-launches/>).

The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology is putting the finishing touches on the rockets that are meant to launch the country's first space station module, as well as a cargo and refueling craft.

According to *SpaceNews*, China is planning to construct its [three-module station](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/chinas-heavenly-palace-space-station-dazzling>) over 11 planned missions. The country is also planning to launch a crewed mission using one of the same rockets.

## Heavy Lifting

The Long March 5B heavy-lift rocket developed by the Launch Vehicle Technology academy is meant to carry the first module, which weighs a hefty 22 metric tons, into orbit as soon as this spring. When exactly the launch will occur is still unclear.

"We will soon complete the construction of China’s first long-term orbital crewed space station meeting advanced world levels, and will carry out large-scale space scientific research on it," chief designer of China’s human spaceflight program Zhou Jianping told state news, as quoted by *SpaceNews*.

"We firmly believe that it will play a major role in the forefront of scientific exploration of humanity and also in the development of our space technology," he added.

In 2022, the country is also planning to send a Hubble-class space telescope called Xuntian to join the orbit of its space station.

**READ MORE:** [China gears up for space station, cargo and crewed mission launches](<https://spacenews.com/china-gears-up-for-space-station-cargo-and-crewed-mission-launches/>) \[*SpaceNews*\]

**More on China's space program:** *[China Crashed Spacecraft Into the Moon so It Wouldn't Become Space Junk](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/china-crashed-spacecraft-moon-space-junk>)*

## Author
I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/vtanger.bsky.social>)