Futurism reports: NASA has postponed the lunar landing schedule again in February 2026, pushing back the first manned moon landing originally scheduled for Artemis III to Artemis IV in 2028.
Not long after the United States announced this news, an international study published in the journal Nature Astronomy quietly emerged, offering four specific candidate landing sites for China's first manned moon mission. Together, these two events have intensified the atmosphere of the lunar race.
Why was a volcanic area chosen?
This study was conducted by scientists from China University of Geosciences, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and multiple international institutions. They focused on an area just north of the equator on the near side of the Moon, named Rima Bode, adjacent to the Senussi Estum Basin.
This name may be unfamiliar to most people, but it is well-known among planetary geologists. Jim Head, a professor at Brown University and a participant in the Apollo program landing site selection, told Scientific American: "Rima Bode has been one of my long-term candidates for manned moon landings. More than 50 years after the Apollo missions, its significant scientific goals remain highly relevant."
The research team identified four specific landing points within this area, with very solid reasons. This region contains five distinct terrain units, including volcanic ash deposits, lunar mare basalt, Copernicus crater ejecta, and high-thorium materials. Researchers liken it to a lunar geological "buffet," where the geological background changes almost every step taken.
Huang Jun, a planetary geologist from China University of Geosciences, said that by studying the volcanic glass beads here, it is possible to "understand the composition of the deep interior of the Moon and piece together a complete story of how lunar volcanic activity has evolved over time."
In contrast, the landing areas selected by NASA focus on the exploration of water ice resources in the lunar south pole. The scientific returns provided by Rima Bode are entirely different and do not overlap or conflict with those of the US.
How prepared is China?
Selecting landing sites is only part of the story. A more critical question is: How far has China's technological readiness advanced?
According to official information from China's Manned Spaceflight Program, China plans to send two astronauts to the Moon before 2030, with a hard deadline set for December 2029. For this purpose, the main spacecraft required for the project have already completed the preliminary prototype phase of development.
The main crew has been formed. The new crewed spacecraft "Mengzhou" will transport astronauts into lunar orbit, and the dedicated lunar landing module has completed ground testing. The Long March 10 launch vehicle has successfully passed the tethered ignition test. Compared to the early Apollo program, China has chosen a "two-launch" architecture, meaning cargo and crew missions are launched separately and then docked in lunar orbit. This route has been repeatedly verified for feasibility.
The Chang'e 7 mission, planned for launch in 2026, will head to the lunar south pole, carrying an AI drone to explore water ice in impact craters. Subsequent Chang'e 8 will lay the foundation for the construction of future international lunar research stations. These two missions are the vanguard of manned moon landing, and their success or failure will directly affect the pace of subsequent plans.
On the US side, NASA has pushed the first manned moon landing to Artemis IV, with the most optimistic expectation being early 2028. However, the development progress of SpaceX's Starship continues to face pressure. A report from NASA's Inspector General has clearly stated that at least it has been delayed by more than two years.
More than fifty years ago, when humans first stepped onto the Moon, the event captured worldwide attention. Next time, the starting line will no longer have only one competitor.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/7616567888069870095/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.