On October 15, 2023, a joint announcement was made in Beijing by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Space Administration, and the China Manned Space Engineering Office regarding the release of the “National Medium- and Long-Term Development Plan for Space Science (2024-2050).” This marks the first unified medium- and long-term development plan at the national level for the field of space science in China, with the goal of establishing the country as a powerhouse in space science.
The National Medium- and Long-Term Development Plan outlines the objectives for the advancement of China’s space science, proposing five major scientific themes: “Extreme Universe,” “Spacetime Ripples,” “Sun-Earth Panorama,” “Habitable Planets,” and “Space Object Interaction.” In addition, it identifies 17 priority development directions and details a phased implementation plan for scientific tasks through three stages: up to 2027, 2028-2035, and 2036-2050. This comprehensive plan serves as a roadmap for the development of space science in China until 2050.
During a press conference held at the State Council Information Office, the joint release emphasized that the implementation of this plan is expected to accelerate groundbreaking advancements in fundamental space science research, aiding China in achieving significant global scientific achievements. It is also aimed at promoting generational leaps in space technology, facilitating high-quality development in space applications, and fostering cooperation in the outer space domain for the benefit of humanity.
The National Medium- and Long-Term Development Plan for Space Science is designed to advance the fields of space science, technology, and applications in a holistic manner, functioning as a guiding framework for current and future deployments of space science missions and research in China.
The formulation of the plan involved the collective expertise of numerous scholars and experts from across the nation. Under the guidance of relevant departments such as the Ministry of Science and Technology, the National Space Administration, and the Ministry of Finance, the Chinese Academy of Sciences took the lead in organizing over 500 experts, including more than 50 academicians from research institutes, universities, and industry sectors, to contribute to the planning process. This effort, which included extensive consultations and feedback from various stakeholders, took more than two years to complete.
