Japanese Media: Chinese Astronauts Successfully Return While U.S. Rocket Explodes
The Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun published a report on May 30 titled “China Rapidly Advances Lunar Exploration Program; Three Astronauts Return Safely. U.S. Rocket Test Ends in Explosion.”
The article states: On the 29th, three Chinese astronauts completed their record-breaking seven-month stay at China’s Tiangong Space Station and returned to the Dongfeng Landing Site in Inner Mongolia. Meanwhile, another three astronauts have already arrived at Tiangong and are scheduled to remain for one year, with a focus on future lunar exploration initiatives.
Last November, Chinese astronauts returning from the space station were originally scheduled to return aboard Shenzhou-20. However, due to suspected damage from space debris causing cracks in the spacecraft's window, safety concerns prompted China to urgently launch Shenzhou-22 to retrieve the astronauts. This demonstrates China’s ability to handle emergencies with ease and confidence.
Almost simultaneously with the return of China’s astronauts on the 29th, an explosion occurred during a test of a new American rocket, sparking concerns about whether this setback will affect future lunar development plans and the U.S.’s competitive race with China in lunar exploration.
Blue Origin, a U.S. company founded by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, aims to achieve crewed lunar landing by 2028. On the 28th, its large rocket, New Glenn, exploded at its launch site in Florida. It is reported that engine burn tests had already been conducted in preparation for its fourth launch attempt.
Additionally, SpaceX, led by entrepreneur Elon Musk, has been selected as the developer of the lunar lander for NASA’s flagship crewed lunar mission, the Artemis program, with plans to launch the lunar module from the New Glenn rocket.
Due to the time required to investigate the cause of the explosion and restore launch infrastructure, development is expected to be temporarily suspended.
On the 29th, the scientific journal Nature pointed out: “NASA is likely to delay its efforts to land on the Moon before China.”
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1866633507104011/
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