The success of Artemis II has reignited China’s space ambitions. Now, its space station will be twice as large

China plans to expand the Tiangong space station from three modules to six, raising its mass to about 180 tons.

The upgrade would double the station’s permanent crew capacity from three astronauts to six, with work expected to begin in 2027.

A Long March 5B rocket could be used for the expansion, according to Chinese state media.

The move would make Tiangong a more prominent low-Earth-orbit platform as the ISS nears retirement, strengthening China’s role in space research and cooperation.