World

China Intends To Double The Size Of Its Space Station To Compete With NASA

China aims to extend its space station from three to six modules in the coming years, providing astronauts from other countries with an alternative platform for near-Earth missions as the NASA-led International Space Station (ISS) nears the end of its existence.

The China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), a unit of China’s main space contractor, announced the Chinese space station’s operational lifetime on Wednesday during the 74th International Astronautical Congress in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Tiangong, or Celestial Palace in Chinese, China’s self-built space station, has been fully operational since late 2022, accommodating a maximum of three astronauts at an orbital altitude of up to 450 km (280 miles).

Tiangong, even after its enlargement to six modules, is still just 40% of the mass of the ISS, which can hold a crew of seven astronauts. The ISS, which has been in orbit for more than two decades, is planned to be dismantled in 2030, about the same time China has said it expects to become a major space power.

As Tiangong became fully operational last year, Chinese state media stated that China would be no slouch as the ISS approached retirement, adding that several countries had asked to send their astronauts to the Chinese station.

However, in a setback to China’s space diplomacy ambitions, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced this year that it did not have the budgetary or political green light to participate in Tiangong, thereby canceling a years-long plan for a visit by European astronauts.

After being separated from the ISS, Tiangong has become a sign of China’s growing clout and confidence in its space endeavors, as well as a rival to the US in the sector. Any direct or indirect collaboration with NASA is prohibited by US law.

Russia, an ISS participant, has similar space diplomacy aspirations, implying that Moscow’s BRICS allies – Brazil, India, China, and South Africa – may build a module for their space station.

Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, announced last year that it planned to build a space station with six modules that could house up to four cosmonauts.

Also read: Ukraine Claims To Have Shot Down 24 Russian Attack Drones Launched Overnight

Spriha Rai

Recent Posts

India And Nigeria Strengthen Counter-Terrorism Cooperation In Second Strategic Dialogue

Doval and Ribadu held detailed talks on challenges linked to terrorism and radicalization, including those…

5 mins ago

Ola Electric’s Share Hits All-Time Low Of Rs 74 Ahead Of Q2 Results

Analysts predict that the stock could drop closer to the Rs 70 mark. Ola Electric…

1 hour ago

US Election: Voting Begins With First Ballots Cast In New Hampshire

This election is one of the most divisive in US history. Harris and Trump have…

1 hour ago

Waqf Bill: Opposition MPs Meet LS Speaker, Lodge Protest Against JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal

Opposition members alleged that Pal calls JPC meetings without consulting them and restricts their opportunity…

2 hours ago

Delhi HC Rejects Khalid Saifi’s Plea To End Attempted Murder Case In 2020 Riots

The Delhi Police opposed Saifi’s bail, citing evidence from WhatsApp messages exchanged among the accused.…

3 hours ago

Maha Kumbh 2025: Uttar Pradesh Enhances Security With Face Recognition Cameras

To protect millions of devotees at Maha Kumbh, the UP govt is implementing advanced security…

3 hours ago