A black-and-white image of an inflatable space habitat module deployed in orbit, with Earth’s surface visible in the background. The module features a smooth, rounded structure and reflective material at its base, showcasing its lightweight and flexible design.
An onboard view of the inflatable module tested aboard the Shijian-19 spacecraft. Credit: CAST

BREMEN, Germany — China tested out a small expandable module in orbit during the recent Shijian-19 mission, an update more than a month after the spacecraft’s landing reveals.

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Andrew Jones writes about China's space industry, including civilian programs, space science and exploration, policy, and commercial developments for SpaceNews, and writes the China Report newsletter. He has additional bylines in Scientific American,...