The new year has not started well for China, with two failures among its first six launches. Even so, 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year, with numerous new launch vehicles — including several reusable designs — expected to debut, and a realistic prospect of the country’s first propulsive landing of an orbital-class booster.
The damaged Shenzhou 20 spacecraft returned to Earth uncrewed, while two other crew capsule programs have continued ground and suborbital testing. China also continues to expand its spaceports and advance the infrastructure and launch vehicles that will underpin its lunar exploration program.