Andrew Jones
@andrewjonesspace.bsky.social
Freelance journalist mainly tracking Chinese space activities. Correspondent at SpaceNews, also bylines at Spacedotcom, IEEE Spectrum and more.
Shenzhou-22 docked with the forward port at Tiangong space station at 0750 UTC. The Shenzhou-21 astronauts have their lifeboat, and China has successfully dealt with its first major human spaceflight emergency situation. www.cmse.gov.cn/xwzx/202511/...
November 25, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Shenzhou-22 docked with the forward port at Tiangong space station at 0750 UTC. The Shenzhou-21 astronauts have their lifeboat, and China has successfully dealt with its first major human spaceflight emergency situation. www.cmse.gov.cn/xwzx/202511/...
China's human spaceflight agency states that the Shenzhou-22 logo resembles a bow and arrow to represent the readiness to respond to emergency.
www.cmse.gov.cn/xwzx/202511/...
www.cmse.gov.cn/xwzx/202511/...
November 24, 2025 at 3:58 PM
China's human spaceflight agency states that the Shenzhou-22 logo resembles a bow and arrow to represent the readiness to respond to emergency.
www.cmse.gov.cn/xwzx/202511/...
www.cmse.gov.cn/xwzx/202511/...
Hong Kong University plans to launch the "Moon Flash" lunar orbiter ~2028 to detect lunar impact flashes, being the brief optical flashes produced when micrometeoroids impact the Moon’s surface. Mission would be in collaboration with the mainland. content-static.cctvnews.cctv.com/snow-book/in...
November 24, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Hong Kong University plans to launch the "Moon Flash" lunar orbiter ~2028 to detect lunar impact flashes, being the brief optical flashes produced when micrometeoroids impact the Moon’s surface. Mission would be in collaboration with the mainland. content-static.cctvnews.cctv.com/snow-book/in...
Uncrewed launch of Shenzhou-22 is set for ~0410 UTC tomorrow, heading to Tiangong to provide a lifeboat for the Shenzhou-21 crew. An apparent mission patch posted on weibo also has this named as TGYJ-1, or Tiangong emergency response-1. Live streams expected close to liftoff.
November 24, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Uncrewed launch of Shenzhou-22 is set for ~0410 UTC tomorrow, heading to Tiangong to provide a lifeboat for the Shenzhou-21 crew. An apparent mission patch posted on weibo also has this named as TGYJ-1, or Tiangong emergency response-1. Live streams expected close to liftoff.
A Long March 3B lifted off at 1055 UTC today from Xichang, successfully sending the TJS-21 experimental communications satellite into orbit. Launch 74 for China in 2025. mp.weixin.qq.com/s/UiTof3iYlE...
November 21, 2025 at 11:51 AM
A Long March 3B lifted off at 1055 UTC today from Xichang, successfully sending the TJS-21 experimental communications satellite into orbit. Launch 74 for China in 2025. mp.weixin.qq.com/s/UiTof3iYlE...
Yet another Chinese launch company emerges: FSTSpace. Plans its reusable Qitian-1 launcher, powered by 200-ton-class FFSC methalox engines. Claims a sub-scale thrust chamber hot fire in September.
November 21, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Yet another Chinese launch company emerges: FSTSpace. Plans its reusable Qitian-1 launcher, powered by 200-ton-class FFSC methalox engines. Claims a sub-scale thrust chamber hot fire in September.
A Long March 2C lifted off at 0401 UTC today from Jiuquan, carrying the Shijian-30 (01, 02 & 03) satellites into orbit. This was China's 73rd orbital launch attempt of the year. Final action for CZ-2C in 2025. www.calt.com/n689/c248972...
November 19, 2025 at 12:54 PM
A Long March 2C lifted off at 0401 UTC today from Jiuquan, carrying the Shijian-30 (01, 02 & 03) satellites into orbit. This was China's 73rd orbital launch attempt of the year. Final action for CZ-2C in 2025. www.calt.com/n689/c248972...
Shenzhou-22: launch of SZ-22 on a Long March 2F set for ~04:10 UTC Nov. 25 from Jiuquan, according to airspace closure notices. This will be uncrewed, carry cargo, but most importantly it's the lifeboat for the Shenzhou-21 crew aboard Tiangong.
*Shenzhou-20 crew returned to Earth as expected within reentry window
*They used their colleagues' SZ-21 spacecraft as SZ-20 return module window has minor crack, likely due to a debris impact
*Uncrewed Shenzhou-22 with cargo will be launched to Tiangong for SZ-21 astrosnauts
*They used their colleagues' SZ-21 spacecraft as SZ-20 return module window has minor crack, likely due to a debris impact
*Uncrewed Shenzhou-22 with cargo will be launched to Tiangong for SZ-21 astrosnauts
Shenzhou-20 astronauts safely return to Earth on Shenzhou-21 spacecraft after space debris damage concerns
Three Chinese astronauts have safely returned to Earth in the recently-launched Shenzhou-21 spacecraft after their own spacecraft was declared unsafe.
Three Chinese astronauts have safely returned to Earth in the recently-launched Shenzhou-21 spacecraft after their own spacecraft was declared unsafe.
November 17, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Shenzhou-22: launch of SZ-22 on a Long March 2F set for ~04:10 UTC Nov. 25 from Jiuquan, according to airspace closure notices. This will be uncrewed, carry cargo, but most importantly it's the lifeboat for the Shenzhou-21 crew aboard Tiangong.
*Shenzhou-20 crew returned to Earth as expected within reentry window
*They used their colleagues' SZ-21 spacecraft as SZ-20 return module window has minor crack, likely due to a debris impact
*Uncrewed Shenzhou-22 with cargo will be launched to Tiangong for SZ-21 astrosnauts
*They used their colleagues' SZ-21 spacecraft as SZ-20 return module window has minor crack, likely due to a debris impact
*Uncrewed Shenzhou-22 with cargo will be launched to Tiangong for SZ-21 astrosnauts
Shenzhou-20 astronauts safely return to Earth on Shenzhou-21 spacecraft after space debris damage concerns
Three Chinese astronauts have safely returned to Earth in the recently-launched Shenzhou-21 spacecraft after their own spacecraft was declared unsafe.
Three Chinese astronauts have safely returned to Earth in the recently-launched Shenzhou-21 spacecraft after their own spacecraft was declared unsafe.
Shenzhou-20 astronauts safely return to Earth on Shenzhou-21 spacecraft after space debris damage concerns
Three Chinese astronauts have safely returned to Earth in the recently-launched Shenzhou-21 spacecraft after their own spacecraft was declared unsafe.
spacenews.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:02 AM
*Shenzhou-20 crew returned to Earth as expected within reentry window
*They used their colleagues' SZ-21 spacecraft as SZ-20 return module window has minor crack, likely due to a debris impact
*Uncrewed Shenzhou-22 with cargo will be launched to Tiangong for SZ-21 astrosnauts
*They used their colleagues' SZ-21 spacecraft as SZ-20 return module window has minor crack, likely due to a debris impact
*Uncrewed Shenzhou-22 with cargo will be launched to Tiangong for SZ-21 astrosnauts
Shenzhou-20 crew coming home on the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft: SZ-21 undocked from Tiangong at 0314 UTC with astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie aboard. CMSEO revealed there's a Shenzhou-20 spacecraft's return capsule window glass developed a minor crack and thus unsafe
November 14, 2025 at 5:38 AM
Shenzhou-20 crew coming home on the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft: SZ-21 undocked from Tiangong at 0314 UTC with astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie aboard. CMSEO revealed there's a Shenzhou-20 spacecraft's return capsule window glass developed a minor crack and thus unsafe
Shenzhou-20: 30-minute window opens in 10 hours. Hopefully we'll see a routine, safe reentry and landing for the three astronauts.
There's an airspace closure notice suggesting Shenzhou-20 will return to Earth between 0820-0850 UTC on Friday (Nov. 14). No official statement from China's human spaceflight agency yet.
Update: "Shenzhou-20 crew's return mission is progressing smoothly," CMSEO says, without explicitly stating the plan. But "landing site is currently conducting comprehensive rehearsals for the Shenzhou-20 crew's return," suggesting SZ-20 is clear to land. www.cmse.gov.cn/xwzx/202511/...
November 13, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Shenzhou-20: 30-minute window opens in 10 hours. Hopefully we'll see a routine, safe reentry and landing for the three astronauts.
Well, they're moving beyond the render... the test module will be used for landing tech tests.
November 13, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Well, they're moving beyond the render... the test module will be used for landing tech tests.
There's an airspace closure notice suggesting Shenzhou-20 will return to Earth between 0820-0850 UTC on Friday (Nov. 14). No official statement from China's human spaceflight agency yet.
Update: "Shenzhou-20 crew's return mission is progressing smoothly," CMSEO says, without explicitly stating the plan. But "landing site is currently conducting comprehensive rehearsals for the Shenzhou-20 crew's return," suggesting SZ-20 is clear to land. www.cmse.gov.cn/xwzx/202511/...
No update from China's human spaceflight agency on the possible debris impact on the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft. Insiders on weibo suggest a decision soon, which will be very much safety first. We could see Shenzhou-22 launching without crew, and the 3 SZ-20 astros returning on SZ-21
November 12, 2025 at 9:31 AM
There's an airspace closure notice suggesting Shenzhou-20 will return to Earth between 0820-0850 UTC on Friday (Nov. 14). No official statement from China's human spaceflight agency yet.
Here's the full lack of clarity on the Shenzhou-20 situation from China's human spaceflight agency in English: english.news.cn/20251111/ff7...
November 11, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Here's the full lack of clarity on the Shenzhou-20 situation from China's human spaceflight agency in English: english.news.cn/20251111/ff7...
Update: "Shenzhou-20 crew's return mission is progressing smoothly," CMSEO says, without explicitly stating the plan. But "landing site is currently conducting comprehensive rehearsals for the Shenzhou-20 crew's return," suggesting SZ-20 is clear to land. www.cmse.gov.cn/xwzx/202511/...
No update from China's human spaceflight agency on the possible debris impact on the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft. Insiders on weibo suggest a decision soon, which will be very much safety first. We could see Shenzhou-22 launching without crew, and the 3 SZ-20 astros returning on SZ-21
November 11, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Update: "Shenzhou-20 crew's return mission is progressing smoothly," CMSEO says, without explicitly stating the plan. But "landing site is currently conducting comprehensive rehearsals for the Shenzhou-20 crew's return," suggesting SZ-20 is clear to land. www.cmse.gov.cn/xwzx/202511/...
Cosmoleap: The YQ-1A rocket has passed an overall program review, paving the way for testing and production.
mp.weixin.qq.com/s/A9WVvBZPAb...
mp.weixin.qq.com/s/A9WVvBZPAb...
November 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Cosmoleap: The YQ-1A rocket has passed an overall program review, paving the way for testing and production.
mp.weixin.qq.com/s/A9WVvBZPAb...
mp.weixin.qq.com/s/A9WVvBZPAb...
New launch record for China: country made its 69th & 70th orbital launch attempts of 2025 in the last few hours, with a CZ-11 launch from the Yellow sea, carrying Shiyan-32 (01-03), & a CAS Space Lijian-1 from Jiuquan, carrying Chutian-2 (01+02). This surpasses 2024's 68 launches.
November 9, 2025 at 10:02 AM
New launch record for China: country made its 69th & 70th orbital launch attempts of 2025 in the last few hours, with a CZ-11 launch from the Yellow sea, carrying Shiyan-32 (01-03), & a CAS Space Lijian-1 from Jiuquan, carrying Chutian-2 (01+02). This surpasses 2024's 68 launches.
No update from China's human spaceflight agency on the possible debris impact on the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft. Insiders on weibo suggest a decision soon, which will be very much safety first. We could see Shenzhou-22 launching without crew, and the 3 SZ-20 astros returning on SZ-21
November 8, 2025 at 11:10 AM
No update from China's human spaceflight agency on the possible debris impact on the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft. Insiders on weibo suggest a decision soon, which will be very much safety first. We could see Shenzhou-22 launching without crew, and the 3 SZ-20 astros returning on SZ-21
Tianwen-1 Mars orbiter successfully observed the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS in early October at a distance of ~29 million km, CNSA has just announced. www.cnsa.gov.cn/n6758823/n67...
November 6, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Tianwen-1 Mars orbiter successfully observed the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS in early October at a distance of ~29 million km, CNSA has just announced. www.cnsa.gov.cn/n6758823/n67...
Stilsat-1: A Russian-owned and Chinese-built satellite watching Ukraine (part 1)
www.thespacereview.com/article/5095/1
www.thespacereview.com/article/5095/1
The Space Review: Stilsat-1: A Russian-owned and Chinese-built satellite watching Ukraine (part 1)
www.thespacereview.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Stilsat-1: A Russian-owned and Chinese-built satellite watching Ukraine (part 1)
www.thespacereview.com/article/5095/1
www.thespacereview.com/article/5095/1
China's human spaceflight agency stated today that the Shenzhou-20 crew spacecraft may have been struck by a small piece of debris. Impact analysis and risk assessment are underway, delaying the crew's return to Earth, originally scheduled for Nov. 5.
mp.weixin.qq.com/s/G3ikYCQLEv...
mp.weixin.qq.com/s/G3ikYCQLEv...
November 5, 2025 at 7:44 AM
China's human spaceflight agency stated today that the Shenzhou-20 crew spacecraft may have been struck by a small piece of debris. Impact analysis and risk assessment are underway, delaying the crew's return to Earth, originally scheduled for Nov. 5.
mp.weixin.qq.com/s/G3ikYCQLEv...
mp.weixin.qq.com/s/G3ikYCQLEv...
Galactic Energy has conducted a successful static fire test of the first stage of its Pallas-1 launcher at Haiyang. Statement says both that launch is soon, from Jiuquan, but also that launch & recovery test in 2026. mp.weixin.qq.com/s/dfbFACCzmU...
November 4, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Galactic Energy has conducted a successful static fire test of the first stage of its Pallas-1 launcher at Haiyang. Statement says both that launch is soon, from Jiuquan, but also that launch & recovery test in 2026. mp.weixin.qq.com/s/dfbFACCzmU...
Shenzhou-20 crew have handed over control of Tiangong space station to the Shenzhou-21 astronauts. SZ-20 Trio heading home Nov. 5. mp.weixin.qq.com/s/W77mDnEmjG...
November 4, 2025 at 6:12 AM
Shenzhou-20 crew have handed over control of Tiangong space station to the Shenzhou-21 astronauts. SZ-20 Trio heading home Nov. 5. mp.weixin.qq.com/s/W77mDnEmjG...
IAMCAS recently completed the ground test of the core module of the "Reconfigurable Flexible On-Orbit Manufacturing Platform" mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Xt1PwUScJT...
November 4, 2025 at 6:04 AM
IAMCAS recently completed the ground test of the core module of the "Reconfigurable Flexible On-Orbit Manufacturing Platform" mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Xt1PwUScJT...