Funded by China's National Natural Science Foundation, leading scientists are pioneering an ultra-large spacecraft. Initial studies target lightweight materials and on-orbit assembly techniques.
In the last two decades, China's National Space Administration (CNSA) has notched remarkable achievements: human spaceflight, three space stations, and rover missions to the Moon and Mars. China's ambitions continue unabated, mirroring efforts by NASA and SpaceX, including lunar research bases and a crewed Mars mission targeted for 2033.
Most ambitiously, reports indicate plans for a kilometer-scale "ultra-large spacecraft" in low Earth orbit (LEO). This platform could enable extended-duration missions and advance extraterrestrial resource utilization.
Recently, the National Natural Science Foundation allocated 15 million yuan (approximately 1.94 million euros) for preliminary research. Key objectives include minimizing spacecraft mass while enabling in-orbit assembly, as detailed in early coverage by the South China Morning Post.
While still conceptual, this initiative prompts critical questions about costs and logistics.
The International Space Station (ISS), the largest orbital structure to date at 109 meters long, demanded 42 launches—including 36 by U.S. shuttles and others via Russian Proton and Soyuz-U rockets—and cost over 150 billion dollars to build, with annual operations exceeding 4 billion dollars.
This project warrants close observation. China also eyes its upcoming superheavy launcher for a vast space-based solar power station in geostationary orbit, underscoring its rising prominence in space exploration.
