China to double size of space station as ISS to be decommissioned

China plans to expand its space station, known as Tiangong or Celestial Palace, from three modules to six in the coming years.

This expansion will offer astronauts from other nations an alternative platform for near-Earth missions as the International Space Station (ISS) nears the end of its operational lifespan, Space News reported.

The China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) disclosed at the 74th International Astronautical Congress in Baku on October 4 that the Chinese space station is expected to have an operational lifetime of more than 15 years, surpassing the previously announced 10-year lifespan.

With a total mass of 180 metric tons after expansion, Tiangong is still smaller than the ISS but offers potential opportunities for international collaboration in space exploration as the ISS is expected to be decommissioned after 2030.