Chinese officials confirmed their goal of a first crewed lunar landing by 2030. At a briefing Thursday, the China Manned Space Agency reaffirmed plans to land astronauts on the moon by 2030, but acknowledged significant challenges ahead. China is also working on a lunar lander and lunar spacesuit. China has adopted a commercial competition model in low-cost cargo transportation to Tiangong, crewed lunar rovers, and lunar remote sensing satellites, attracting commercial participation. (Source: SpaceNews)

ESA is opening an office in Tokyo. The office enables better coordination with the Japanese Space Agency JAXA and Japanese companies. Nearly a year ago, ESA and JAXA signed an agreement for closer cooperation, such as a role for JAXA on ESA’s Ramses mission to the asteroid Apophis. (Source: ESA)