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China's Moon Race: Crewed Landing by 2030
2 Apr
Summary
- China aims for a crewed moon landing by 2030.
- Lunar lander 'Lanyue' is undergoing tests for transport.
- Future plans include a lunar base by 2035.
China is actively developing hardware for a crewed lunar landing, targeting a 2030 completion date. The nation's space agency has tested the 'Lanyue' lunar lander, intended for astronaut transport and surface habitat. This mission is crucial for China's lunar ambitions.
Key equipment, including the Long March 10 rocket and specialized spacesuits, are also in development. These advancements are part of a broader strategy to establish a "basic model" of the International Lunar Research Station by 2035.
This planned lunar base, a joint effort with Russia, could feature a nuclear reactor for power. By 2045, the ILRS aims to be an orbital hub for Mars mission preparation and extensive lunar resource utilization.
Robotic missions like Chang'e-6, which recovered samples from the moon's far side in June 2024, are laying the groundwork for crewed endeavors. Future missions, Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8, will provide further data for the target landing zone.
