Volume 46 Issue 4
Aug.  2026
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Article Navigation >  Chinese Journal of Space Science  > 2026  >  46(4): 859-890 Open Access
GU Yidong, WANG Qiang, LÜ Congmin, LI Xuzhi, ZHONG Hongen, LIU Guoning, ZHANG Wei, ZHANG Jiuxing, BA Jin. Progress in Space Science and Utilization on the China Space Station in 2024–2026. Chinese Journal of Space Science, 2026, 46(4): 859-890 doi: 10.11728/cjss2026.04.2026-yg05
Citation: GU Yidong, WANG Qiang, LÜ Congmin, LI Xuzhi, ZHONG Hongen, LIU Guoning, ZHANG Wei, ZHANG Jiuxing, BA Jin. Progress in Space Science and Utilization on the China Space Station in 2024–2026. Chinese Journal of Space Science, 2026, 46(4): 859-890 doi: 10.11728/cjss2026.04.2026-yg05
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Progress in Space Science and Utilization on the China Space Station in 2024–2026

doi: 10.11728/cjss2026.04.2026-yg05 cstr: 32142.14.cjss.2026-yg05

  • Key Laboratory of Space Utilization, Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094

Funds:  Supported by the China Manned Space Program (T3141911UN)
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  • Author Bio:

    An expert in space science and utilization technology and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). He currently serves as the Chief Scientist for Space Science of the China Manned Space Engineering Program (CMS). He graduated from the Department of Engineering Physics, Tsinghua University in 1970. His previous posts include Deputy Director of the Cosmic Ray Research Laboratory at the Institute of High Energy Physics (CAS), Director of the National Space Science Center (CAS) and Academy of Opto-Electronics (CAS), Chief Designer and General Commander of the Space Utilization System in CMS, and President of the Chinese Society for Space Research. He led the development of an integrated space-ground utilization technology system for CMS, organized groundbreaking scientific and utilization missions aboard the Shenzhou series spaceship and the Tiangong space laboratory. He also led the planning and demonstration of space science and utilization missions for the China Space Station. E-mail: ydgu@aoe.ac.cn

  • Corresponding author: A researcher and director of the Utilization Development Center, Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization (CSU) of the CAS. He obtained his Ph.D. in flight vehicle design from the Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) and joined the Information and Electronics School of the BIT in 2003. After 2012, he joined the CSU and engaged in the strategy planning and mission design for the China Space Station (CSS). He successfully organized a significant number of eminent scientists in the formulation of the scientific mission planning and proposed a systematic and structured scientific research and utilization mission encompassing four major areas for the CSS. Furthermore, he also led the solicitation, evaluation and selection of multiple batches of scientific and utilization projects for the CSS. E-mail: zhangwei@csu.ac.cn
  • Received Date: 2026-05-20
    Available Online: 2026-07-08
    Abstract
  • The China Space Station was assembled by the end of 2022, comprising three modules equipped with intravehicular science experiment racks and extravehicular exposed facilities. Operating for over three years, the station has implemented more than 170 science and utilization projects. A series of original, cutting-edge achievements has been attained in space life sciences and biotechnology, space materials science, microgravity fluid and thermal physics, microgravity combustion science, microgravity fundamental physics, and space innovative technology demonstration. This paper introduces the general progress of in-orbit science and utilization, along with typical scientific discoveries—such as the mammal on-orbit feeding experiment, growth of InSe semiconductor crystals, fabrication of high-performance field-effect transistors on ground, and observation of a metastable Body-Centered Cubic (BCC) phase in the crystallization of charged colloids. Planned science and utilization projects will be executed progressively and systematically. Furthermore, applications and transformations of these findings will be further promoted.

     

    • The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests
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