Beijing to Expand Space Station for Foreign Visitors

Far above Beijing's Indo-Pacific ambitions -- China says it's making more room on its space station in the coming years. Upping the count from three modules to six -- and paving the way for astronauts from other nations to visit. Beijing is looking to give other countries an alternative to the NASA-led International Space Station -- which China is blocked from using. The ISS is set to be decommissioned in 2030. While according to the China Academy of Space Technology -- the Tiangong space station is expected to have a more than 15 year lifespan. Though -- it can only hold a maximum of three astronauts -- compared to the ISS's seven. Beyond the space station -- China's next planned moon mission is still set for next year. The goal: to retrieve samples from the moon's far side. If successful, that would make China first to accomplish the task. China’s National Space Administration says preparations are going smoothly. Noting that the mission's relay satellite will be sent up in the first half of next year.