China's crewed lunar landing speed has accelerated! There are so many breakthroughs in 2025, it's unexpected that they have erupted comprehensively.
After completing the zero-height escape test of the Mengzhou crewed spacecraft and the integrated verification test of the Lanyue landing device in this year, China's Long March 10 has also achieved a comprehensive breakthrough. The first tethered ignition test was a complete success, what does this mean? It indicates that China's stability in crewed lunar landing is beyond doubt.
Moreover, at all the key nodes of the lunar mission, there is a comprehensive push forward. However, with China's comprehensive breakthrough in lunar technology, foreign media have seen China's achievements and pointed out that this test is not just about crewed lunar landing, but also has an unusual scene. What is it? Let's look at this breakthrough first.
Seven engines ignited! The Long March 10 Achieves a Major Breakthrough
Indeed, this is China's first such ignition test. According to the description, this test is the largest-scale full-system trial in China, with a thrust scale reaching nearly a thousand tons.
The first-stage test product of the Long March 10 series rocket ignited seven engines simultaneously, completed multiple test procedures according to the planned program, and evaluated the simultaneous working capability of the seven parallel engines under rated and high conditions. It obtained complete test data, and the test was a complete success.
Therefore, this means that the stability of the first stage of the entire rocket is without any problem. However, as an important lunar rocket for China, these related tests are to ensure that the entire lunar process can achieve stability and safety in the future. After all, it is responsible for sending the Mengzhou spacecraft and the lunar landing device. Obviously, every detail needs to be fully tested.
This breakthrough also means that China's crewed lunar landing speed has increased, and it is further advancing the overall progress. Additionally, it should be noted that this rocket has two versions:
The Long March 10 is a three-stage rocket with boosters, with a diameter of 5 meters and a maximum height of 92.5 meters, which will carry out the launch tasks of the Mengzhou Y crewed spacecraft and the Lanyue lunar landing device in the crewed lunar landing mission.
The Long March 10A is a two-stage rocket, with a diameter of 5 meters and a maximum height of 67 meters. Its first stage is recoverable and reusable, and it will carry out the launch tasks of the Mengzhou crewed spacecraft and the Tianzhou cargo spacecraft in the space station application and development project.
Therefore, one success equals the success of two rockets, which is the difference. Moreover, foreign media have noticed that China's rocket engine changes have already been progressing in the previous relevant aspects, mentioning that the YF-100K is an upgraded version of the YF-100 engine. The YF-100 engine is used in the Long March 3A, Long March 3B, Long March 3C, and Long March 3B rockets. The YF-100K has undergone flight tests on the new Long March 11 rocket, which has successfully flown twice.
This means that China has also proven the good condition of this engine, which also shows that the major breakthrough of the Long March 10 can promote the acceleration of the crewed lunar landing.
However, the foreign media's view on the breakthrough of the Long March 10 is not just about lunar landing. Why do I say so?
US Media: China's Rocket Is Not Just for Lunar Landing, But Also Has a Bigger Goal, What Is It?
Indeed, from the perspective of the Long March 10, people's first reaction is crewed lunar landing. What else will China use it for? After all, this is the key to China's lunar landing. At the same time, China has repeatedly publicly stated that this is for lunar landing. What else could it be used for?
In fact, the most critical point is that it belongs to two versions. According to the US media, this test is also a step forward for the 67-meter-long two-stage Long March 10A rocket. This is a single-stage variant that will be reusable. Its first flight may take place as early as 2026, earlier than the first flight of the full version of the Long March 10. The lunar version of the Long March 10 is expected to make its first flight in 2027.
However, this rocket's successful simultaneous testing also means that China is developing in various aspects, and its bigger goal direction has changed.
Many people should know that currently, China's space station is served by the Shenzhou spacecraft and the Long March 2F rocket. However, in the future, China may change this target. The Long March 10A and the Mengzhou spacecraft are both reusable and much more powerful than the current ones. The power of the Long March 10A has been mentioned, and the power of the Mengzhou spacecraft is even stronger. In the task of launching astronauts to the space station, it is not just the current Shenzhou spacecraft combination of three people, but can reach seven people.
Therefore, foreign media believe that China's rocket is not just for lunar landing, but has a bigger goal, which can send more astronauts to China's space station, and this is the future strategic goal, because China's space station will undergo great changes.
What Changes Will China's Space Station Have?
That is, China's space station will be upgraded from the current three-module configuration to a six-module configuration, and then promote international astronauts and international project cooperation.
This year, China has once again stated that Pakistan's astronaut has been confirmed to join, and the selection, training, and training issues are being addressed. Additionally, more than ten countries have joined China's space station project cooperation. This can be considered the starting point for China's space station to go global. However, this does not mean that this is all. China will later carry out larger-scale space cooperation.
With more astronauts and more project collaborations, does it mean that the value of the Long March 10A and the Mengzhou spacecraft's collaboration will be greater? It can send seven astronauts to the space station at once. Imagine, the changes in China's space station in the future are really not simple. I got a bit excited, truly looking forward to this moment coming soon.
At that time, the pattern of China's space program will inevitably change, and the new space model will be completely different.
Therefore, this series of space missions are closely related, and they are inseparable from China's entire space plan. We look forward to China achieving greater breakthroughs in the space field, elevating its strength to a new peak. The United States has always said that they want to complete crewed lunar landing before China, and create the glory after the Apollo era, and realize the history of the United States returning to the moon. Let's see if we can truly achieve it. Watch and wait.
Before 2030, crewed lunar landing will definitely be the focus of the world. Who is faster or slower will be clear. However, to be honest, China hasn't been competing with the United States, we pursue stability, as long as we follow our own plan, nothing else matters. We just hope China can be faster, so that the United States won't be so arrogant.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7539766362156139018/
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