China’s Space Program Faces Launch Setbacks but Eyes Transformative Year Ahead

The start of 2026 has presented challenges for China’s space program, with two failures reported in its first six launch attempts. However, the year is anticipated to be a transformative one for the nation’s aerospace efforts. A variety of new launch vehicles, including several designed for reusability, are set to make their debut, and there is optimism about the possibility of China’s inaugural propulsive landing of an orbital-class booster.

The Shenzhou 20 spacecraft, which sustained damage prior to its return, landed safely back on Earth without a crew on January 19. This marked a notable moment, as it was the first time a Shenzhou capsule returned uncrewed since the Shenzhou 8 mission in 2011. Meanwhile, other crew capsule programs are actively engaged in ground tests and suborbital flights. In parallel, China continues to expand its spaceports and develop the infrastructure necessary for its expanding lunar exploration initiatives.

China concluded 2025 with a record 92 orbital launches, despite falling short of an ambitious target of 100. The year saw the establishment of the Guowang and Qianfan satellite constellations. However, the launch landscape for some commercial providers faced setbacks, including the third ZhuQue-2E mission from Landspace and Galactic Energy’s Gushenxing-1 launch, both marred by failures.

Galactic Energy’s recent attempt to launch its Gushenxing-2 (Ceres-2) ended in failure when the vehicle veered off course and crashed shortly after liftoff or January 17. This incident followed a successful launch of the Gushenxing-1S just days prior. Meanwhile, a Chang Zheng 3B/E rocket launched from Xichang on January 16 but lost its experimental payload, the Shijian 32 spacecraft, due to an anomaly during the third stage. The Chang Zheng 3 series is usually known for its reliability, making this failure particularly significant.

As investigations continue to determine the underlying issues leading to the recent failures, the impact on other vehicles using the same upper stage remains uncertain. Despite these setbacks, two experimental spacecraft, Shijian 21 and Shijian 25, have successfully completed missions after a docking and refueling demonstration.

In addition to addressing these challenges, China’s space endeavors are witnessing preparations for future missions. The Shenzhou 20 capsule’s crew returned on Shenzhou 21 in mid-November after an uncrewed emergency evacuation due to the damage observed pre-return. The Shenzhou 23 has since been readied for its upcoming flight, with preparations well underway for subsequent missions.

On the commercial side, companies are making strides to develop new vehicles. The Yuanxingzhe 1 from Space Epoch is expected to undertake its first missions later in the year, with plans for water recovery of its initial stages. Another capsule, the CYZ-1 from InterstellOr, is on track for suborbital tests, following successful drop tests to ensure its retro-thrust system functions optimally.

In addition, advancements in reusable rockets are coming to fruition, with the Chang Zheng 12B propellant recently undergoing static fire tests, paving the way for reusability features reminiscent of designs by SpaceX. The introduction of the new Chang Zheng 10 and its variants is also anticipated to bolster China’s lunar ambitions, with aims for a maiden flight set for next year.

With ongoing efforts and improvements across the sector, 2026 holds significant promise for China’s spaceflight aspirations, despite the rocky start. The coming months are expected to see a surge in launches and the introduction of promising new technologies as the nation strives to solidify its standing in the competitive arena of space exploration.