The National Medium- and Long-Term Development Plan for Space Science (2024-2050) was released.

I. Development Goals

(I) Overall Objective

We will implement national space science missions in a tiered manner, coordinate and strengthen mission-driven basic research, build a high-level talent pool for space science, continuously achieve landmark original results with significant international influence, realize high-quality development of space science, drive breakthroughs in space technology innovation, promote the upgrading of space applications, rank among the world's best, and become a leading power in space science.

(II) Phased Objectives

By 2027

—The overall level of scientific research has been significantly improved, and world-class results have been continuously achieved in disciplines in which we have a strong foundation and advantages, such as high-energy time-domain astronomy, solar-Earth relations, the origin and evolution of the Moon and Mars, microgravity physics and space life.

— Demonstrate and implement a number of space science missions. On the frontiers of science, such as dark matter and extreme universe, gravitational waves, protostellar clouds, exoplanets, solar activity, and exploration of the solar system and Earth system, demonstrate and approve 5 to 8 space science missions, including 2 to 3 large-scale missions that are expected to produce landmark and significant results.

Significant progress has been made in building a new pattern of aerospace development, creating a group of "leaders" and "pioneers" in the field of space science, taking a new step in the development of talent teams, and continuously enhancing international status and influence.

2028-2035

—With key areas ranking among the world's best, major original achievements have emerged in areas such as low- and mid-frequency gravitational waves, the dark ages of the universe, the discovery of habitable Earth-like planets, solar activity, Earth system response, in-situ resource utilization on the Moon, signs of life on Mars, black holes and neutron stars, and dark matter and dark energy, becoming an important symbol of my country's leading position among innovative countries.

— Deploy and implement a series of space science missions, demonstrating and implementing approximately 15 space science missions at the forefront of science, including 4 to 5 large-scale missions, in areas such as the early universe, new physics of extreme celestial bodies, habitable exoplanets in the vicinity, early solar system archaeology, search for extraterrestrial life, solar eruptions and coronal heating mechanisms, and exploration of the edge of the solar system.

—To achieve comprehensive development of my country’s space science, space technology and space applications, to form a comparative advantage in talent competition in the field of space science, and to rank among the world’s top in terms of national strategic talent strength and leading talent team.

2036-2050

—Strong international leadership in key areas, becoming a world power in space science. Achieving revolutionary breakthroughs in basic research on the origin and evolution of the universe, the nature of spacetime, the origin of the solar system and life, and manned deep space exploration, expanding the boundaries of human knowledge and promoting the progress of human civilization.

— It leads the development of space science worldwide, has demonstrated and implemented more than 30 space science missions, and possesses core competitiveness and strong leadership in the new round of technological revolution.

— By gathering top international scientific talent teams, we will build a world-class space science center and innovation hub, becoming an important symbol of a modern socialist power.

II. Priority Development Directions

Facing the forefront of global space science and the major strategic needs of the country, and based on the advantages and characteristics of my country's existing disciplines, talent pool, and engineering technology, we have identified five major scientific themes in which my country is expected to achieve breakthroughs and their priority development directions.

The theme is "Extreme Universe." This involves exploring the origin and evolution of the universe and revealing the physical laws under extreme cosmic conditions. Priority development directions include dark matter and the extreme universe, the origin and evolution of the universe, and the detection of baryonic matter in the universe. Major scientific questions to be addressed include the nature of dark matter particles and the source of high-energy radiation in the universe, the nature of dark energy, dynamic cosmic detection and the physical mechanisms of transient sources, the history of the dark ages and reionization in the universe, the origin and evolution of stellar and planetary systems, and the cycling and feedback of baryonic matter.

The theme is "Ripples in Spacetime." This research aims to detect low- and mid-frequency gravitational waves and primordial gravitational waves to reveal the nature of gravity and spacetime. The priority development direction is space-based gravitational wave detection. Major scientific questions to be addressed include the formation of supermassive black holes and seed black holes and their co-evolution with host galaxies; the fine structure of strong gravitational fields near black holes and the distribution and physical properties of compact objects; and testing early cosmological models.

The theme is "Sun-Earth Panorama." This project explores the Earth, the Sun, and the heliosphere, revealing the physical processes and laws governing the complex Sun-Earth system and the overall connection between the Sun and the solar system. Priority development directions include the Earth's circulatory system, integrated Earth-Moon observation, space weather detection, three-dimensional solar exploration, and outer heliosphere exploration. Major scientific questions to be addressed include the characteristics of solar magnetic activity and the origin mechanism of magnetic periods; the three-dimensional propagation and evolution of solar wind disturbances; the mechanisms of cross-scale energy transfer and dissipation between the solar wind and the magnetosphere; magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere coupling; cross-scale interactions among multiple spheres of the Earth system; and the processes and mechanisms of solar wind-interstellar medium interactions.

The theme is "Habitable Planets." This involves exploring the habitability of celestial bodies in our solar system and exoplanets, and conducting searches for extraterrestrial life. Priority development areas include sustainable development, solar system archaeology, planetary layer characterization, extraterrestrial life search, and exoplanet exploration. Major scientific questions to be addressed include the deep material, layered structure, and early impact history of the Moon; the origin and evolution of asteroids/comets; the evolution of habitable environments and life signals on Mars; the interaction between the solar wind and Jupiter's magnetosphere; the detection of habitable environments and life signals on icy moons and ice giants; and the habitability and life characteristics of exoplanets.

The theme is "Space Science." It aims to reveal the laws governing the motion of matter and life activities under space conditions, and to deepen our understanding of fundamental physics such as quantum mechanics and general relativity. Priority development areas include microgravity science, quantum mechanics and general relativity, and space life science. Major scientific problems to be addressed include the fundamental theory of complex fluid physics in novel multi-process coupling systems under microgravity, quantum effects in gravitational fields, high-precision testing of general relativity and exploration of new physics, and the space environment adaptability and survival strategies of life on Earth.

III. Development Roadmap

Focusing on five major scientific themes and prioritizing development directions, the plan proposes scientific mission plans to be implemented in three phases: up to 2027, 2028-2035, and 2036-2050, thus forming a roadmap for my country's space science development up to 2050.

The first phase, ending in 2027, will involve operating the Chinese space station, implementing manned lunar exploration, the fourth phase of the lunar exploration program, and planetary exploration projects, and generating several original achievements with significant international influence.

Two to three large-scale missions will be selected from the following mission directions: multi-band collaborative observation of space X-rays, X-ray hot baryon detection, space gravitational wave detection pathfinder, and solar polar orbit exploration. Three to five medium-sized and opportunistic missions will be selected from the following mission directions: dark matter particle detection, space terahertz high-speed imaging survey, space ultra-long wave observation, space infrared observation, detection of hidden natural features, transparent ocean constellation, all-weather three-dimensional wind observation, Earth radiation energy balance detection, Earth magnetosphere multi-scale constellation, Sun-Earth L5 point solar exploration, space-based solar radio array observation, detailed observation of traces of human activity, spatiotemporal pattern of global vegetation biomass, Jupiter system observation, and exoplanet exploration.

The second phase, from 2028 to 2035, will achieve world-leading original results through the implementation of the first phase's missions. This includes operating the Chinese space station and demonstrating and implementing scientific missions such as manned lunar exploration, a lunar research station, exploration of the solar system's edge, exploration of the giant planet system, and atmospheric sample return from Venus.

From the following mission directions: high-precision infrared observation in space, comprehensive observation of the earthquake-induced effects of tidal forces on celestial bodies, circumstellar exploration, high-energy space exploration, X-ray detection, and space gravitational wave detection, as well as large-scale mission directions that have not yet been approved by the 2027 planning stage, 4-5 large-scale missions will be selected. From the following mission directions: ultraviolet astronomical observation, ocean energy level constellation, observation of cross-sphere coupling processes in key zones, observation of the thermodynamic structure and chemical composition of the boundary layer, global high-precision geomagnetic field constellation, geostress observation, Earth radiation belt detection, space weather source exploration, formation solar high-energy detection, four-pole coordinated scientific observation, observation of Earth's dynamic changes, asteroid exploration, and exoplanet satellite exploration, as well as small and medium-sized mission directions that have not yet been approved by the 2027 planning stage, 10-11 medium and small-scale and opportunistic missions will be selected.

The third phase, from 2036 to 2050, aims to achieve world-leading levels in key areas of space science in my country. This phase will involve demonstrating and implementing 5-6 large-scale missions, as well as approximately 25 medium-sized and opportunistic missions.

To achieve the development goals of this plan, it is necessary to further strengthen organization and implementation, ensure financial investment, consolidate basic capabilities, deepen international cooperation, enhance science popularization, and continuously achieve key, original, and leading major scientific and technological achievements to strongly support the construction of a space power and a science and technology power.

Reprinted from: Chinese Academy of Sciences website