China Reveals Crewed Lunar Mission Plan: Three Astronauts to the Moon, Two to Land

On the 31st, Wang Xiang, deputy chief designer of China’s manned space program and chief designer of the lunar exploration project, disclosed the crew configuration for China’s first crewed lunar mission: three astronauts will undertake the mission, with two descending to the lunar surface.

The mission will adopt a "two-launch, one-lunar landing" approach involving orbital rendezvous in lunar orbit. Two Long March 10 rockets will separately deliver the lander and crew capsule into lunar orbit, where they will dock. The astronauts will then transfer to the lander for descent, conduct scientific research on the surface, and return via ascent and re-docking before bringing samples back to Earth.

The design reflects a deliberate emphasis on operational stability—breaking complex operations into manageable, incremental phases, proceeding methodically and cautiously.

From Qian Xuesen’s proposal in 1958 to “reach the Moon,” through successive launches of the Chang’e series lunar probes, to the successful high-dynamic-pressure escape flight and safe sea recovery of the Mengzhou spacecraft, China’s lunar exploration program has advanced steadily over decades.

In contrast, the United States’ Artemis program remains in a state of continuous reconfiguration: the originally scheduled 2027 lunar landing has been downgraded to an orbital docking test, while crewed return to the Moon has been pushed to 2028. This underscores that lunar exploration cannot be driven by political rhetoric alone, despite frequent assertions from some U.S. officials about not allowing China to prevail.

China’s crewed lunar mission is not intended as a response to American initiatives. It follows its own timeline and strategic framework, aiming to achieve crewed lunar landing by 2030 to support scientific exploration and long-term space capabilities—not as part of a space race.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1880551784338435/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.