China’s Space Ambitions Grow With Big Leap in Rocket Launches

  • Country aims for a record 100 missions, up 40% from last year
  • Pace puts China second only to SpaceX in frequency of missions
A Long March-2C rocket lifts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China on Jan. 9.Photographer: STR/AFP/Getty Images
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China unveiled plans for a major increase in the pace of its expected space missions this year, solidifying the country’s position as the world’s second-most active launcher behind only Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

A record 100 Chinese missions should occur in 2024, state media reported, up more than 40% from last year.