China has big plans for its new Tiandu space exploration laboratory

China has established a deep-space exploration laboratory here on Earth to support the development of the country's growing plans for lunar and planetary missions.

According to the China National Space Administration, the Tiandu laboratory will conduct science, technology and engineering research on major deep-space exploration projects. Few details of the project have been revealed, but the lab will be supported by the CNSA to develop large-scale basic scientific research facilities.

The head of the laboratory told Chinese state media that the laboratory would support upcoming lunar missions, China's planetary exploration program, and plans for an asteroid defense system.

The latest news about China's space program.

International scientific programs and cooperation projects are intended to be fostered by Tiandu. Russia and China plan to build a moon base in the 20th century, and Russia wants to attract national, commercial and science partners for the project.

The laboratory is open to the world, and we hope to attract international talents to work in it, according to the chief designer of China's lunar exploration program.

The Hefei location of the Tiandu laboratory was inaugurated in February. It was founded by the University of Science and Technology of China and the CNSA. It will have a branch in Beijing.

The development follows a number of major Chinese exploration milestones and seeks to support an overall strategy of making China a comprehensive space power. In 2020, China launched its first independent interplanetary effort, the Tianwen 1 Mars mission, and collected the first samples from the moon in more than 40 years.

The new laboratory will support the next steps outlined in January. The Chang'e 6 sample return effort and multi-spacecraft Chang'e 7 project will be the next lunar missions from China. Change 8 will focus on in-situ resource utilization and technology tests, including 3D printing, and is expected to launch before the end of the decade.

A Mars sample return effort, a mission to send a probe to the Jupiter system, and a mission to study a comet up close are some of the country's planetary plans.

China held its first planetary defense conference last year, with presentations on a range of related studies.

Follow us on social media.