China is opening its space station to the world, creating exciting new opportunities for international cooperation in space exploration. On Tuesday, experts from China’s manned space program announced that the country’s space efforts are building a larger platform for global partnerships.
According to Li Yingliang, director of the general technology department at the China Manned Space Agency, China’s space station is poised to make significant discoveries. “We expect breakthroughs in fundamental issues like the origin of life, the evolution of the universe, and the structure of matter,” Li said at a press conference.
He highlighted that these advancements will promote innovative developments in human space science and technology. “Our space endeavors, including the space station and manned lunar exploration, offer a broader platform for international collaboration,” Li added.
Sun Wei, deputy chief designer of the manned space program’s landing site system, shared that China is enhancing its ground support by building more telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) stations and developing TT&C satellites. “These efforts provide more resources for human space activities,” Sun explained.
China is also active in international organizations like the International Telecommunication Union and the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems. “Standardizing and internationalizing our TT&C capabilities lays the infrastructure for human space activities and makes global space cooperation more convenient,” Sun said.
Astronaut Fei Junlong, commander of the Shenzhou-6 and Shenzhou-15 missions, shared his reflections from space. “Every time I fly, I look back at Earth—our common home—through the spacecraft window,” he said. “I’m sure astronauts from other countries feel the same way.”
Fei, who was the first to perform a spacewalk after China’s space station was completed, emphasized that exploring space is a shared mission for humanity. He invited astronauts from around the world to visit China’s space station, fostering unity and collaboration in the journey beyond Earth.
