China has been making significant strides in its space exploration program, and its latest achievement is no exception. The country has successfully sent several missions to the lunar surface, but none of them have involved human spaceflight. However, this is set to change soon as China’s space agency has confirmed plans to put its first taikonauts on the lunar surface before the end of this decade.
According to officials at the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO), the plan is to send two taikonauts on the moon for a period of about six hours before they head back to the lunar orbiter, which will be crewed by a third colleague, for the journey home. The crew will be launched into space using the Long March 10 rocket, which is a part of China’s ambitious lunar program.
The crew spacecraft, known as Mengzhou, has been designed to carry out its mission on the lunar surface and will be equipped with specialized equipment such as lunar landing suits and a lunar lander, known as Lanyue. The mechanical and thermal test equipment for the spacecraft and lander have been “basically completed,” according to Lin Xiqiang, the deputy director of CMSEO.
In addition to the crewed mission, China is also planning to build a permanent international research station on the lunar South Pole by 2040. This ambitious goal is part of China’s long-term strategy to establish a permanent human presence on the moon.
China’s Ambitious Plan to Land Taikonauts on the Lunar Surface
China’s plans to put humans on the moon are not unique, as NASA’s Artemis program is also planning to do the same in 2026. However, both China and the United States are looking to locate water on the moon, which could be converted to fuel for future rocket launches to deep space. The weaker gravity on the moon compared to Earth makes launching rockets from the moon more efficient, making it a potentially useful base for future space missions.
China’s lunar program is a reflection of the country’s growing space-based ambitions and its desire to establish itself as a major player in the global space industry. The country has been rapidly advancing its space capabilities in recent years, with a number of notable achievements including the successful landing of its Chang’e-4 mission on the far side of the moon.
China’s latest achievement is set to be a significant milestone in the country’s space program, marking the first time that humans will have set foot on the moon. The mission is expected to be a major step forward for China’s space exploration program and will have significant implications for the country’s future plans for space travel and exploration.
China’s plan to put taikonauts on the moon is a testament to the country’s growing capabilities in space exploration and its ambition to establish a permanent human presence on the moon. The mission marks a significant milestone in China’s space program and has implications for the country’s future plans for deep space exploration.
