China will use a “two-launch, lunar-orbit rendezvous” strategy to land astronauts on the moon, according to details released Oct. 31 at the seventh Manned Spaceflight Academic Conference. The plan involves two separate rocket launches to send a lander and a crewed spacecraft into lunar transfer orbit, where they will dock before astronauts transfer to the lander for the descent to the surface.
Did You Know? The mission will utilize the Long March 10 carrier rocket, the Mengzhou crewed spacecraft, and the Lanyue lunar lander.
Two-launch rendezvous replaces single-launch architecture
Wang Xiang, deputy chief designer of the Chinese manned spaceflight project and chief designer of the lunar exploration project, stated that this approach matches current technical capabilities and facilities. By developing the spacecraft and lander separately, the project can maintain clear divisions of labor and create a standardized series of spacecraft for long-term use.
The process requires precise coordination 380,000 kilometers from Earth. Wang Xiang attributed the ability to solve these coupling and docking challenges to a “new type of national system,” which implements unified technical and quality standards across the project to ensure all participants operate under a single coordinated plan.
Flight tests confirm rocket and spacecraft readiness
Major components of the mission have already undergone critical testing. The Mengzhou spacecraft has completed zero-height escape and maximum dynamic pressure escape flights, while the Lanyue lander has finished landing and takeoff tests.
The Long March 10 rocket has completed low-altitude demonstration verification. Wang Xiang noted that this phase also included the first domestic rocket re-entry recovery, which he said uses manned spaceflight to advance reusable rocket technology.
Lunar exploration follows robotic precursors
Current development relies on a “cognition first, capability first” scientific law. Wang Xiang explained that a lengthy exploration process is required to understand the moon before resources can be developed or utilized.
The project integrates results from previous “Chang’e” robotic missions. According to Wang, the unmanned lunar probes and manned missions share commonalities in infrastructure, key technologies, and personnel expertise.
Upcoming maiden flights for lunar hardware
The project is likely to move toward the first flights of the Long March 10 rocket, the Mengzhou spacecraft, and the Lanyue lander. These flights may serve as the final validation steps before the integrated lunar mission is attempted.
How astronauts reach the moon surface
How do astronauts get to the moon’s surface under this plan?
Two rockets launch the Lanyue lander and Mengzhou spacecraft separately into lunar transfer orbit. After they dock in lunar orbit, astronauts move from the Mengzhou spacecraft into the Lanyue lander to descend to the surface.
What tests have already been completed for the hardware?
The Mengzhou spacecraft has finished zero-height and maximum dynamic pressure escape flights. The Lanyue lander has completed landing and takeoff tests, and the Long March 10 rocket has undergone low-altitude verification and a re-entry recovery test.
What role did the Chang’e missions play in this project?
The “Chang’e” unmanned lunar exploration missions provided a foundation of key technologies, infrastructure, and data that will be applied to the manned landing project.
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