From crewed missions to asteroid defense, 2022 was replete with groundbreaking space milestones that captured the world's attention. CGTN's sci-tech reporter selected six space-related stories that changed the game in 2022.

#1 – The China Space Station

At the top of the list is the construction of the China Space Station. The China Manned Space Agency has yet to officially announce its completion, but it has already sent the station's three major modules – a core and two labs – into orbit. Together they form the space station's iconic T-shaped configuration. Today, China has its own space station that is open for international collaboration.

#2 – NASA's Artemis mission

After four attempts, the experimental Orion spacecraft rode a humongous Space Launch System rocket and gave us a sneak peek at what Earth looks like from the moon. Its splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on December 11 signaled a new chapter in humanity's return to the moon after more than half a century.

The mission's success also kicked off a new lunar exploration race, which saw China executing the fourth phase of a program it initiated in April. With launch missions Chang'e-6, 7 and 8, China aims to explore the moon's South Pole and commence building the International Lunar Research Station.

#3 – Destination: Mars

In 2022, the number of operational Mars probes reached 11. However, it has since been reduced by one with the retirement of America's InSighter a few days ago.

China's first-ever Mars rover, Zhurong, has been exploring the Red Planet for over a year. As of May 15, it had logged 347 Martian days and captured 940 gigabytes of data. It has now entered hibernation for the duration of the cold, dark Martian winter.

2022 was also a launch window to Mars as the astronomical phenomenon known as "Mars opposition" afforded spacecraft their most fuel-efficient route to the planet. Unfortunately, none were launched this year, and the window will not reopen for another two years.

#4 – The James Webb Space Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) captured some of the most incredible images ever seen. Launched on Christmas Day in 2021, the JWST has celebrated its first anniversary and will continue to transmit astonishing cosmological data.

#5 – Asteroid Redirection Tests

Should an uninvited guest hurtle toward Earth, planetary defense experts want to nudge the potentially threatening asteroids or comets out of harm's way years or even decades before impact. As such, fifth on the list is humanity's attempts to affect the orbit of a celestial body, which the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission achieved for the first time.

In April, China announced a planned asteroid defense system that will be tested in 2025 or 2026. It will monitor a risky asteroid and potentially deflect it from its Earth-bound trajectory.

#6 – Low-Earth orbit clutter

In 2021, the China Space Station had to maneuver twice to avoid collisions with SpaceX Starlink satellites, which are involved in an average of 1,600 close encounters every week, accounting for nearly 50 percent of such incidents. Once the entire constellation is deployed, that figure will jump to 90 percent.

With the rise of the commercial space industry and an ever more crowded low-Earth orbit, orbital clutter poses a bona fide threat to space exploration. China is active in space governance and has showcased several solutions at the Airshow China 2022.

For example, a fist-sized device installed aboard a satellite can be deployed like a kite, helping to accelerate the de-orbiting of obsolete spacecraft. Either that or a satellite fuel supplier could extend their service life.

With the dream of sustainable exploration in mind, we can optimize our shared space through cooperation.

What do you think, and what tops your list of expectations for 2023?