Science & Tech · Space · 1 hr ago
China plans a full lunar landing rehearsal before sending astronauts
China plans a full rehearsal before a crewed Moon landing, according to Wang Xiang, deputy chief designer of its crewed space programme.
Before sending astronauts, China would dock the Lanyue lander with the Mengzhou spacecraft in lunar orbit.
Lanyue would then land on the Moon, take off and dock again.
NASA plans a different route, with crews practising docking with commercial landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin in Earth orbit in 2027.
NASA administrator Jared Isaacman said the agency aims to reach the lunar surface in 2028.
A US space policy analyst said China's approach may be safer but tougher to schedule than NASA's plan, which relies on commercial landers.
The plans show how the two countries are preparing for crewed lunar missions, but no landing outcome is yet reported.
China plans to conduct a full rehearsal of its crewed lunar landing before sending astronauts.
The plan includes docking the Lanyue lander and Mengzhou spacecraft in lunar orbit.
Lanyue would then land on the Moon, lift off and dock again.
NASA plans for crews to practise docking with commercial landers in Earth orbit in 2027 before attempting to reach the lunar surface in 2028.
A US space policy analyst said China’s approach would be tougher on schedule but safer than NASA’s reliance on commercial landers.
- Who
- China’s crewed space programme, whose deputy chief designer is Wang Xiang. NASA is also described as pursuing a different approach.
- What
- China plans a full rehearsal of a crewed lunar landing before sending astronauts. The rehearsal would include docking in lunar orbit and landing, lifting off and redocking.
- When
- Wang Xiang outlined the plan on October 31. NASA plans crew practice in 2027 and a lunar-surface attempt in 2028.
- Where
- The plan involves docking in lunar orbit and landing on the Moon. Wang spoke in Beijing.
- Why
- To rehearse the lunar landing before sending astronauts.
China’s approach
NASA’s approach
Rehearsal
China’s approach
China plans to dock its own Lanyue lander and Mengzhou spacecraft in lunar orbit, then have Lanyue land, lift off and redock.
NASA’s approach
NASA plans for crews to practise docking with commercial landers in Earth orbit.
Assessment
China’s approach
A US space policy analyst said China’s plan would be tougher on schedule but safer.
NASA’s approach
The analyst described NASA’s commercial-lander approach as a cheaper bet.
NASA administrator Jared Isaacman said crews would practise docking with commercial landers in Earth orbit in 2027 and try to reach the lunar surface in 2028.
Wang Xiang outlined China’s plan for a full lunar landing rehearsal before any astronauts are sent.
- China’s lander
- Lanyue
- China’s spacecraft
- Mengzhou
- Lunar rehearsal
- Dock in lunar orbit; land, lift off and redock
- NASA crew practice
- 2027, in Earth orbit
- NASA lunar-surface attempt
- 2028