China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CAST) plans to carry out more than 20 space launch missions this year, including 15 important special missions or maiden launches, breaking China's previous record of space launches in one year.

The launches of Long March-7 orbital carrier rocket, the Shenzhou 11 manned spacecraft and the Tiangong-2 space laboratory are expected in 2016, according to CAST’s plans. The maiden launch of the Long March-5 orbital carrier rocket in 2016 is significant to the progress of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program and construction of the space station.

China will launch two Beidou satellites in 2016 to improve the Beidou Navigation Satellite System and ensure its stable operation. Besides, China will launch a satellite, Gaofen-3, in 2016 to improve the China High-Resolution Earth Observation System. China will also send a communications satellite and commercial remote sensing satellite into space for Belarus in 2016.