News

National Mid- and Long-term Plan for Space Science in China

（2024-2050）

Jointly released by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the China National Space Administration, and the China Manned Space Agency

October 2024

Note: This English version is translated by the international cooperation office of NSSC/CAS for reference only. It is based on the document in the link below:

https://www.gov.cn/lianbo/bumen/202410/content_6980618.htm

In order to implement the guiding principles of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), as well as the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of its 20th Central Committee, and to promote the comprehensive development of space science, space technology and space applications, we have formulated the National Mid- and Long-term Plan for Space Science in China (2024–2050) (hereinafter referred to as “the Plan”), which will serve as the basis for planning China’s space science missions and space research in the future.

1 Objectives

Overall Objectives

The Plan has several objectives: systematically plan and implement national space science missions; coordinate and strengthen mission-driven fundamental research; build a pool of high-level space science talent; consistently achieve significant original scientific breakthroughs with major international impact; ensure high-quality development in space science, propel innovation of space technologies, and promote upgrading of space applications, so as to join the top ranks of global space science powers.

Objectives in Three-phases

Phase One: Up to 2027

-  During this phase, we envision a leap forward in scientific research. We expect to realize a number of world-class scientific achievements in key fields, such as time-domain high-energy astronomy, solar-terrestrial connection, the origins and evolution of the Moon and Mars, microgravity physics, and space life sciences.

-  Over this period, we will study and implement 5~8 space science missions. These missions will focus on scientific frontiers such as dark matter and the extreme universe, gravitational waves, protostellar clouds, exoplanets, solar activity, and exploration of the solar system and the Earth system. They will include 2~3 large missions that aim to achieve landmark scientific results.

-   We will also make significant progress in generating new momentum for space science development. As part of this process, we will cultivate a group of highly talented “trailblazers” in the field of space science, forming an unprecedented talent pool. As a result of all these efforts, China’s international standing and impact in the field of space science will continuously advance.

Phase Two: 2028–2035

-   During this phase, our research in key areas will obtain the global top ranking. Specifically, we will achieve a cluster of breakthroughs in the fields such as medium- and low-frequency gravitational waves, the cosmic dark ages, discovery of habitable Earth-like exoplanets, solar activity, Earth system responses, in-situ utilization of lunar resources, indicators of life on Mars, black holes, neutron stars, dark matter and dark energy. These advancements will establish China as one of the world’s top innovative countries.

-    In terms of space science missions, we will study and implement about 15 missions, including 4~5 large missions. The missions will explore a range of scientific frontiers, such as the early universe, the new physics of extreme celestial bodies, neighboring habitable exoplanets, the origin of the early solar system, the search for extraterrestrial life, solar eruptions and coronal heating mechanisms, and exploration of the edges of the solar system.

-    During this phase, we will push forward the comprehensive development of space science, space technology, and space applications in China. We will also gain comparative advantage in space science talent. China will be among the top nations in the world in terms of the amount of strategic and leading talent.

Phase Three: 2036–2050

-    During this phase, China will become an international leader in key areas, emerging as a major power in space science. We will make revolutionary breakthroughs in various aspects of basic research, such as the origin and evolution of the universe, the nature of time and space, the origin of the solar system and life, and manned deep space exploration. These discoveries will expand the limits of our understanding and propel human civilization forward.

-     China will lead global advancement in space science as it plans and carries out more than 30 space science missions over this period. During this new scientific and technological revolution, China will possess core competitiveness and strong leadership.

-    China will attract top international scientists and their teams, thus making China one of the hubs of the global space science community, symbolizing its status as a strong, modern socialist country.

2 Priority areas

Setting sight on the frontiers of global space science and China’s strategic demands, this Plan proposes five key scientific themes and 17 priority areas in which we anticipate breakthroughs. These priority areas are based on China’s advantages in existing space science disciplines, talent resources, and the fields of engineering and technology.

Extreme Universe

This theme focuses on exploring the origin and evolution of the universe and revealing the laws of physics under extreme cosmic conditions. Priority areas include dark matter and the extreme universe, the origin and evolution of the universe, and detection of cosmic baryonic matter. Major scientific questions to be addressed include the nature of dark matter particles and the source of cosmic high-energy radiation, the nature of dark energy, exploration of the dynamic universe and the physical mechanism of transient sources, the history of the cosmic dark ages and reionization, the origin and evolution of stars and planetary systems, and the baryonic matter cycle and feedback, etc.

Space-Time Ripples

This theme mainly involves the detection of medium- and low-frequency gravitational waves, as well as primordial gravitational waves, with the goal of uncovering the nature of gravity and spacetime. The priority area is space-based probes of gravitational waves. Major scientific questions to be addressed include the formation of supermassive black holes and seed black holes as well as synergistic evolution with their host galaxies, the fine structure of strong gravitational fields near black holes, the distribution of dense celestial bodies and their physical properties, and the validation of early cosmological models, etc.

Panoramic View of Sun-Earth

This theme explores the Sun, the Earth, and the heliosphere in order to reveal the physical processes and laws governing the complex Sun-Earth system and Sun-solar system connections. Priority areas include the observation and understanding of the Earth system cycles, comprehensive exploration of cislunar space, space weather observation, stereoscopic solar exploration, and heliospheric boundary exploration. Major scientific questions to be addressed include characteristics of solar magnetic activity and the origin of the magnetic cycle, three-dimensional propagation of solar wind disturbance and its evolution, solar wind-magnetosphere cross-scale energy transfer and dissipation mechanisms, magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere coupling, cross-scale and cross-sphere interactions of the Earth system, as well as the processes and mechanisms of interstellar medium interactions.

Habitable Planets

This theme aims to explore the habitability of celestial bodies in the solar system and the exoplanets, as well as the search for extraterrestrial life. Priority areas include sustainable development of the habitable Earth system, the origin and evolution of the solar system, characterization of planetary spheres, the search for extraterrestrial life, and exoplanet detection. Major scientific questions to be addressed include the deep interior of the Moon, the layer structure and early bombardment history of the Moon, the origin and evolution of asteroids/comets, evolution of the habitable environment of Mars and its biosignatures, interaction of the solar wind with the magnetosphere of Jupiter, survey of the habitable environments and biosignatures of ice moons and ice giants, as well as the habitability of exoplanets and its life features.

Biological and Physical Sciences in Space

This theme focuses on revealing the laws of matter motion and life activities under space conditions as well as deepening our understanding of fundamental physics, such as quantum physics and general relativity. Priority areas include microgravity science, quantum mechanics and general relativity, and space life sciences. Major scientific questions to be addressed include the basic theory of complex fluid physics under the new system of microgravity multi-process coupling, quantum effects in the gravitational field, high-precision test of general relativity and exploration of new physics, as well as survival strategies of earthly life and its adaptability to the space environment.

3      Development Roadmap

The scientific projects and satellite missions in the framework of the Plan will form the roadmap for the development of space science in China from now until 2050. Below we will discuss them by phase.

Phase One: Up to 2027

During the first phase, China will operate the China Space Station. It will also carry out manned lunar exploration, the Lunar Exploration Program (Phase IV), and the planetary exploration project. Through these programs, China will achieve a number of original scientific breakthroughs with significant international impact.

China will also select and implement 2~3 large scientific satellite missions from the following candidates: coordinated multi-wavelength observations of the extreme universe from space (including of X-rays), survey of X-ray hot baryons, space-based gravitational wave detection pathfinder, and survey of the solar polar orbit. In addition, 3~5 medium/small scientific missions or opportunity missions will be selected from the following candidates: dark-matter particle detection, space-based terahertz high-speed imaging sky survey, space-based ultra-long wavelength astronomy, space-based infrared astronomical observation, survey of geophysical features of lithosphere, Transparent Ocean, all-weather three-dimensional atmospheric wind observation, survey of Earth’s radiation energy budget, constellation for cross-scale observation of Earth’s magnetosphere, solar observation from the Sun-Earth L5 point, observation using space-based solar radio array, detailed observation of traces of human activity, spatiotemporal patterns of global vegetation biomass, observation of the Jupiter system, and detection of exoplanets.

Phase Two: 2028 to 2035

World-class original scientific achievements will be attained through mission implementation in Phase One. China will continue operating the China Space Station, and will plan and implement the manned lunar exploration program and the lunar research station. In addition, a series of scientific missions will be studied and carried out, such as exploration of the edges of the solar system, exploration of giant planet systems, and the Venusian atmosphere sample return.

In addition, 4~5 large missions will be selected from the following candidates: high-precision infrared astronomical observation in space, comprehensive observation of celestial tidal force and its triggering effect to earthquakes, circumsolar survey, high-energy X-ray detection in space, and gravitational wave detection in space. Large mission candidates from Phase One not yet adopted will also be considered. We will also select 10~11 medium/small missions as well as opportunity missions from among the following candidates: ultraviolet astronomical observation, multiscale ocean dynamic process and energy cascade, observation of cross-sphere coupling processes in the critical zone, observation of the thermodynamic structure and chemical composition of the Earth’s atmospheric boundary layer, constellations for global high-precision geomagnetic field observation, observation of geostress, observation of Earth’s radiation belts, exploration of the sources of space weather, constellation for solar high-energy observation, coordinated scientific observations of four poles*, observation of Earth’s dynamic changes, and detection of asteroids and exoplanets’ moons. In addition, medium/small missions and opportunity missions not adopted in Phase One will also be considered.

Phase Three: 2036-2050

During this phase, China’s major space science areas will attain top-tier international ranking. In addition, 5~6 large missions, and approx. 25 medium/small missions as well as opportunity missions will be studied and implemented.

In order to achieve the objectives of this Plan, we must further enhance organization and execution, ensure stable national investment in space science, strengthen capacity building, deepen international cooperation at all levels, and further promote scientific outreach. We will continue to achieve major, critical, original, and pioneering scientific and technological breakthroughs, thus providing support for China’s development as a major space power and a world leader in science and technology.

 *The four poles here are the Antarctic, the North Pole, the Tibetan Plateau and the Equatorial high mountains.