The State Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary Sciences (SKLPlanets) was originally established in 2018 with the approval of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China. As part of China's strategic initiative to strengthen scientific and technological innovation and enhance research capabilities, SKLPlanets was approved for restructuring and upgrading in January 2025, with its official inauguration following on 26 August. As the nation's first state key laboratory dedicated to astronomy and planetary sciences, it reflects China's strong commitment to deep space exploration. Furthermore, it marks a significant step towards promoting scientific and technological collaboration within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, bolstering Macau's development as an international hub for research cooperation.

The core faculty of SKLPlanets comprises over fifty members, including a Chair Professor, full professors, distinguished guest professors, associate professors, and assistant professors. Alongside domestic and international experts and scholars from prestigious institutions, they constitute a robust research team of approximately three hundred personnel. Professor Zong Qiugang serves as the Director of SKLPlanets.