China Space Conference 2026 (CSC2026) Opens in Chengdu
Summary: The 2026 China Space Conference (CSC2026) officially opened on April 23 at the Chengdu Century City New International Convention and Exhibition Center in Sichuan Province. Themed "70 Years of Space Exploration, Together We Reach for the Stars," the conference coincides with the 70th anniversary of China's space industry. The event features over 30 sessions with representatives and experts from 27 countries, regions, and international organizations.
Credit: Chinese Society of Astronautics / File image
Sources (original articles)
- National Space Industry Celebration Opens in Chengdu - The Paper
- 2026 China Space Conference Notice - Chinese Society of Astronautics
CSC2026 opens in Chengdu on April 23, themed "70 Years of Space Exploration, Together We Reach for the Stars," marking the 70th anniversary of China's space industry.
Conference Background
The China Space Conference (CSC), founded in 2018 and jointly organized by the Chinese Society of Astronautics and the China Space Foundation, is a comprehensive industry event with broad influence in China's space sector. The 2026 edition coincides with the 70th anniversary of China's space industry and the beginning of the "15th Five-Year Plan," giving this year's conference special historical significance.
Scale and Scope
The conference runs April 23-26 at the Chengdu Century City New International Convention and Exhibition Center, Century City International Conference Center, and Sichuan University, gathering representatives and experts from 27 countries, regions, and international space organizations.
Over 30 sessions are scheduled, covering:
- Academic Forums: 1 main forum plus 20+ academic sub-forums
- Commercial Space: Industry and market discussions
- Youth Programs: Young talent exchange sessions
- Outreach: Space science outreach activities
- Cultural Events: Space art and culture forums
China Space Day Arrives Tomorrow
The day after the conference opens (April 24) marks the 11th China Space Day, with the main ceremony set for the Chengdu Century City International Convention and Exhibition Center. The ceremony will unveil the theme promotional video and theme song, announce the 2026 Space Public Welfare Image Ambassador, present the 2025 Qian Xuesen Highest Achievement Award, Outstanding Contribution Award, and Innovation Team Award, and release major updates on deep space exploration, commercial space, and Chang'e-5 lunar sample research.
Brazil serves as the guest of honor for this year's China Space Day activities.
Key Topics at the Conference
According to previews, the conference will feature discussions on:
- Commercial Space Business Innovation: Models and market prospects
- Reusable Rocket Technology: Progress on Long March 10 Yibu and Zhuque-3
- Deep Space Exploration Plans: Tianwen-2 asteroid proximity mission
- China Space Station Operations: Shenzhou-23 mission outlook
- Satellite Internet Constellations: Qianfan (GW AO) and national constellation deployment
- International Space Cooperation: China-EU SMILE mission, China-Brazil Earth resources satellites
Recent Chinese Commercial Space Milestones
China's reusable rocket sector enters an intensive verification window in late April:
| Rocket | Scheduled | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Long March 10 Yibu | April 28 | Maiden flight, sea-based net recovery test |
| Zhuque-3 Yuan'er | Q2 | Second vertical recovery attempt |
Additionally, low Earth orbit satellite internet constellations including Qianfan (GW AO) and the national constellation are entering large-scale deployment phases.