China to Double Size of Space Station

China plans to expand its space station from three to six modules over the coming years, providing astronauts from other countries with an alternative platform for near-Earth missions as the International Space Station, led by NASA, approaches the end of its operational lifespan. The Chinese Academy of Space Technology announced on Wednesday that "the operational lifetime of the Chinese space station will exceed 15 years," which is longer than the previously stated ten years. However, the International Space Station, which has been in orbit for over two decades, is expected to be decommissioned after 2030. China anticipates becoming "a major space power" by that year. The self-built Chinese space station, also known as Tiangong or "Heavenly Palace" in Chinese, has been operating at full capacity since late 2022, hosting up to three astronauts at an orbital altitude of 450 kilometers.