What To Know
- China recently announced the selection of ten new astronauts as part of its ambitious space program aimed at sending a crew to the Moon by 2030.
- These new Chinese astronauts will be trained for about two years at the China Astronaut Center in Beijing, where they will acquire the skills needed for missions aboard the Tiangong space station as well as future lunar missions.
- Lanyue Lander will also be a crucial part of China’s lunar exploration program, which is designed to deposit payloads on the lunar surface, collect samples and conduct scientific experiments that will contribute to our understanding of the Moon and prepare for larger human missions.
China recently announced the selection of ten new astronauts as part of its ambitious space program aimed at sending a crew to the Moon by 2030. The move marks a significant step for the country in the race for space exploration and advanced scientific research.
China aims to send crew to the Moon by 2030
China steps up efforts to send astronauts to the Moon before 2030. The last group of ten astronauts newly selected consists of eight pilots and two payload specialists. The diverse team includes for the first time pilots from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Ground Forces and Navy, in addition to traditional Air Force pilots. The payload specialists, hailing from Hong Kong and Macao, also mark a first, as they were selected from China’s Special Administrative Regions (SARs). The move symbolises the broadening of participation and the integration of various regions into the nation’s space ambitions. The China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) began recruiting its fourth batch of astronauts in October 2022. Candidates went through preliminary screening, re-screening and final selection. These phases included comprehensive and in-depth clinical medical examinations, physiological and psychological tests, and endurance and space environment adaptability exercises. As a reminder, the CMSEO selected the first 14 astronauts from Air Force pilots in 1998 for its first spaceflight missions. A second selection resulted in seven astronauts being recruited in 2010, including the first Chinese female astronauts. China then selected 18 new astronauts in 2020. They were space pilots and, for the first time, flight engineers and payload specialists. These new Chinese astronauts will be trained for about two years at the China Astronaut Center in Beijing, where they will acquire the skills needed for missions aboard the Tiangong space station as well as future lunar missions.
A rendering illustrating China’s future infrastructure on the moon. Credits: CNSA/Roscosmos
A rocket, a ship and a lander are in preparation
China has also recently accelerated its preparations for lunar exploration by developing a series of advanced space technologies. This includes the design of a new generation of rocketswhose Long March 10. This launcher is designed to be more powerful and reliable than its predecessors. It is capable of carrying larger payloads to high and interplanetary orbits. Chinese officials are also working on the Mengzhou crew spacecraft which is specifically designed to carry astronauts to the Moon and for extended lunar exploration missions. It is equipped with advanced life support systems, precise navigation technologies and cosmic radiation shielding that are essential for long-duration space travel.
Lanyue Lander will also be a crucial part of China’s lunar exploration program, which is designed to deposit payloads on the lunar surface, collect samples and conduct scientific experiments that will contribute to our understanding of the Moon and prepare for larger human missions. These technical advances are intended to support future missions that could see Chinese astronauts set foot on the lunar surface for the first time since NASA‘s Apollo missions.
