China has recommitted itself to completing its orbiting space station by end of year and says it is planning more than 40 launches for 2022, putting it roughly level with United States. Launches would include those of two Shenzhou crewed missions, two Tianzhou cargo spacecraft and station’s additional two modules, the official Xinhua News Agency reported Thursday, citing a recent announcement by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation known as CASC. Named Mengtian and Wentian, the science modules will join the Tianhe core module that is currently home to a three-person crew. The launch schedule shows how China’s traditionally cautious program is increasing cadence of its missions as it seeks to take a leading role in space exploration.
