China Conducts Exceptionally Successful Test for Moon Goal

China has passed a significant milestone in its crewed space program, aiming to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030. In a new test, the country's next-generation Long March 10 rocket and the Mengzhou crew capsule were launched in the same flight. The test successfully validated both safety systems and reusable rocket technology in the field. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) stated that the test represents a "significant breakthrough" in China's crewed lunar program. The new Moon race between China and the US holds strategic importance not only for prestige but also for future lunar resources. In this context, the Long March 10 rocket and the Mengzhou spacecraft are fundamental components of China's lunar architecture.

Critical Safety Test Successfully Conducted

The test flight was conducted from the Wenchang Space Launch Site on Hainan Island, China's southernmost point. A sub-scale version of the developing Long March 10 rocket was used. On top of the rocket was an uncrewed Mengzhou test capsule. A few minutes after launch, as the rocket reached maximum aerodynamic pressure (Max-Q), the capsule's launch abort motors were activated.

This test simulated the capsule rapidly carrying astronauts to a safe distance in the event of a potential rocket failure. Following the successful test, the capsule also made a successful splashdown in the open sea. CMSA announced that both the rocket's first stage and the capsule landed safely in the designated sea area.

Killing Two Birds with One Stone

This test not only validated the capsule's safety system but also marked one of China's most successful reusable rocket trials to date.

After the Mengzhou capsule separated, the first stage of the Long March 10 continued its mission. Powered by its kerosene-fueled YF-100 engines, the rocket continued its ascent before re-entering the atmosphere. In a critical phase, the first stage re-ignited its engines and performed a controlled descent, landing right next to a recovery platform awaiting it in the South China Sea.

Critical for the Moon Goal

Named Mengzhou, meaning "dream ship" in Chinese, this will be the main vehicle to transport Chinese astronauts from Earth to lunar orbit. The crew will transfer to a lunar lander in orbit to descend to the surface. After a short mission, astronauts will re-ascend to dock with Mengzhou and return to Earth.

The Mengzhou capsule is planned to serve not only lunar missions but also China's low Earth orbit space station. It will thus replace the Shenzhou capsule, which has been in use since the 1990s. CMSA states that Mengzhou will have multi-reuse capability. For low Earth orbit missions, the capsule will be able to carry up to seven astronauts, while for lunar missions, it will fly with smaller crews.

Mengzhou's first orbital test flight is planned for this year. In this mission, the capsule will be launched with a Long March 10A rocket and will dock with the Tiangong space station in low Earth orbit. The Long March 10A configuration will consist of a reusable first stage and an upper stage.

The full-scale Long March 10 rocket will feature a total of 21 engines, combining three first-stage boosters. This configuration aims to achieve a payload capacity of up to 70 metric tons to low Earth orbit. The rocket is stated to have the power to send the approximately 26-metric-ton Mengzhou spacecraft to the Moon.