Space exploration is about to get a lot busier for China in 2026, as the country plans to launch two crewed spaceflight missions and one cargo resupply mission this year. These launches are designed to keep the China Space Station running smoothly while supporting more long-term scientific research in orbit.

In a significant expansion of the program, astronauts from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions are expected to join space station missions as early as this year. China and Pakistan are moving forward with astronaut selection and training. This collaborative plan includes a Pakistani astronaut flying as a payload specialist to conduct scientific experiments aboard China's space station.

Furthermore, a crew member from the Shenzhou-23 mission is scheduled for a full year in orbit. This will serve as a major test of human endurance, helping scientists better understand how the body and mind adapt to long-duration spaceflight.