China unveils 2026 mission for next generation crewed spaceship

Written by Copernical Team Sunday, 02 November 2025 08:14

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Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Nov 02, 2025

The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) will launch the Mengzhou-1 crewed spaceship in 2026 following extensive upgrades to its predecessor, the Shenzhou model. Mengzhou features a modular design consisting of a return capsule and a service capsule and will operate as the primary link between Earth and the space station. The first flight of Mengzhou-1 will utilize the Long March-10A rocket fr

China unveils 2026 mission for next generation crewed spaceship
by Riko Seibo
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Nov 02, 2025

The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) will launch the Mengzhou-1 crewed spaceship in 2026 following extensive upgrades to its predecessor, the Shenzhou model. Mengzhou features a modular design consisting of a return capsule and a service capsule and will operate as the primary link between Earth and the space station.

The first flight of Mengzhou-1 will utilize the Long March-10A rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan, targeting a docking with the space station's core module radial port. This debut mission will validate the craft's systems while transporting environmental monitoring devices, technical payloads, astronaut supplies, and experimental gear for science and technology demonstrations.

CMSA will also conduct two additional crewed missions, Shenzhou-22 and Shenzhou-23, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China next year. Each mission is expected to carry three astronauts. Shenzhou-22 and Shenzhou-23 will dock with distinct ports on the space station's core module, and one member of the Shenzhou-22 team will participate in a long-term, year-long residency experiment.

Additional responsibilities for these missions include extravehicular activities, moving payloads via the cargo airlock, conducting ongoing scientific experiments, testing new technologies, overseeing space station operations, supporting ongoing crew needs, and participating in education outreach programs.

In 2026, the Tianzhou-10 cargo spacecraft is scheduled to launch from Wenchang, providing delivery of crew supplies, spacesuits, spare parts, and propellant needed for space station maintenance and safety. The Tianzhou-10 will also carry additional science payloads and materials for applied research and will dispose of space station waste upon deorbit.