China Reveals Names of Spacecraft for Moon Mission as Ambitious Lunar Program Progresses
China’s space agency has unveiled the names of the spacecraft that will play a crucial role in the country’s ambitious lunar program. The China Manned Space Agency announced that the development of the spacecraft is progressing well. The three key components of the program are the spaceship Mengzhou, the lunar lander Lanyue, and the super-heavy-lift carrier rocket Long March 10. These spacecraft are part of China’s plan to establish itself as a major space power and join the elite group of countries that have successfully sent astronauts to the moon.
China has not yet disclosed a specific date for its manned lunar mission, but it aims to achieve this feat by 2030. If successful, China will become only the second country after the United States to land astronauts on the moon. The Mengzhou spacecraft consists of a reentry module that will serve as the control center and house the astronauts, as well as a service module for power and propulsion systems. It is expected to be approximately 9 meters long and weigh 22 metric tons. The Lanyue lunar lander will accommodate two astronauts and a 200-kilogram rover.
The names of these spacecraft were chosen from nearly 2,000 proposals submitted by the public. The experts responsible for selecting the names explained that “Lanyue” was inspired by a poem written by Mao Zedong in 1965. It symbolizes the Chinese people’s aspiration and confidence in exploring the universe and embarking on a mission to the moon. On the other hand, “Mengzhou” is linked to the Chinese nation’s dream of landing on the moon.
China’s space program is closely associated with President Xi Jinping’s vision to rejuvenate the country and enhance its global power and prestige, including technological capabilities. As more countries recognize the potential scientific benefits, national prestige, access to resources, and further deep space exploration that successful moon missions can bring, they are also elevating their space programs. The United States, for instance, recently announced its plan to land astronauts on the moon in 2026, following its Apollo missions in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
China has made significant progress in lunar exploration in recent years. In 2019, China achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first country to successfully land on the far side of the moon through its Chang’e missions. The upcoming Chang’e-6 mission, expected to launch later this year, aims to collect samples from the moon’s far side. China also has plans to construct a permanent international research station on the lunar south pole by 2040.
China’s lunar ambitions align with the global trend of countries investing in space exploration. Japan’s “Moon Sniper” robotic explorer landed on the lunar surface in January, making it the third country this century and the fifth ever to achieve this feat. India also joined this list last year. With its continuous advancements in lunar missions and its commitment to establishing a permanent research station, China is positioning itself as a key player in space exploration.
As China’s space program progresses, it will be interesting to see how it contributes to scientific discoveries, technological advancements, and international collaborations in the field of space exploration. The names of the spacecraft reflect China’s aspirations and determination to explore the universe and make significant strides in lunar exploration. With its sights set on the moon, China is taking giant leaps towards becoming a major force in space exploration and shaping the future of humanity’s presence beyond Earth.