The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) has unveiled details of its first crewed lunar mission, scheduled for 2030, through a promotional video. The footage showcases planned activities and highlights tests conducted on essential hardware components.
The mission strategy involves launching two Long March 10 rockets, currently in design. The first will carry the crewed spacecraft named Mengzhou, while the second will transport the lunar landing module, Lanyue. Both vehicles will rendezvous in lunar orbit, allowing astronauts to transfer from the main spacecraft to the Lanyue module, which will facilitate the descent to the lunar surface.
The video depicts the Lanyue module landing on the Moon, deploying a rover for exploration. It illustrates astronauts using the rover to navigate predetermined routes, emphasizing meticulous planning.
Crucial tests on various mission components are also featured, including the ignition test of the Long March 10's first stage, a parachute deployment test via a simulated aircraft launch, and a separation experiment involving a Lanyue prototype. Ongoing work on the lunar extravehicular suit, vital for astronaut safety on the Moon, is also presented.
Of particular interest is the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan Island, China's only coastal spaceport. The video shows a model of the center's future structures, necessary for accommodating the new Long March 10 rockets and the upcoming Long March 9 super-launcher, which will match SpaceX's Starship in size and capability.
As China advances its preparations for this historic lunar journey, NASA is accelerating its Artemis program, aiming to return American astronauts to the Moon. The Artemis 3 mission, projected for late 2026, will mark humanity's return to the lunar surface following the Apollo program, reaffirming global competition in space exploration.