China details plans for manned lunar landing by 2030

China details plans for manned lunar landing by 2030
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Nov 25, 2024

China has revealed additional insights into its manned lunar mission, targeting a moon landing by 2030, through a video presentation at the Human Space Symposium. The animation, released by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), showcases key mission aspects, including a lunar rover exploring the moon's surface and outlining a three-day exploration route centered around the landing zone.

The mission aims to achieve critical advancements such as enabling manned Earth-Moon travel, short-term lunar surface habitation, and joint human-robot exploration. Tasks include lunar landing, surface mobility, sample collection, scientific research, and a safe return to Earth.

Key components of the mission involve the Lanyue lunar lander and the Mengzhou manned spacecraft. The Lanyue will be launched first aboard China's new heavy-lift Long March-10 rocket, awaiting Mengzhou's arrival in space. Once in lunar orbit, the two vehicles will dock, allowing astronauts to transfer to Lanyue for descent to the moon's surface.

After their lunar exploration activities, the crew will return to orbit via Lanyue's ascent stage, re-dock with Mengzhou, and begin the journey back to Earth.

CMSA plans to conduct pre-crewed flight tests and manned lunar missions to advance lunar science, resource exploration, and technology development. The agency also aims to facilitate large-scale experiments in areas such as lunar science, lunar-based research, and the utilization of lunar resources.

Progress is well underway, with prototypes of mission-critical equipment, including the Long March-10 rocket, Mengzhou spacecraft, Lanyue lander, astronaut spacesuits, and the lunar rover undergoing production and ground testing. "The development of the Long March-10 rocket, Mengzhou, and Lanyue with its lunar rover is progressing intensively," said Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China's manned space program. "Several of these initial prototypes have been completed and are now in their testing phase to ensure readiness for future lunar missions," he added.

The CMSA video presentation also highlighted prototypes of the manned spacecraft and the lunar lander undergoing testing, alongside operational ground facilities and testing equipment. Meanwhile, construction of the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site continues on schedule.

The Human Space Symposium, held Nov. 21-22 in Shenzhen, China, brought together leading experts, astronauts, and academicians to discuss achievements in space science, the operation of China's space station, and the development of the national space laboratory.