China unveils plan for manned moon landing by 2030

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Chinese space administration announced on Wednesday that Beijing intends to achieve a manned landing on the moon and conduct scientific exploration before 2030.

According to a statement on its website, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) said that Beijing will also explore the construction of a lunar scientific research and experimental station, as well as undertake systematic and continuous lunar exploration and related technical test verification.

The plan for China's manned lunar landing involves utilizing two carrier rockets to independently send the lunar lander and manned spacecraft to the lunar orbit for docking purposes.

Once in the lunar orbit, the astronauts will transition from the spacecraft to the lunar lander. Subsequently, the lunar lander will descend and touch down in a designated area on the moon, enabling the astronauts to carry out scientific research activities and collect samples.

After completing the mission, the astronauts will ascend from the lunar lander to the lunar orbit for docking with the spacecraft, and then return to Earth with the samples.

The CNSA said that Chinese researchers are developing the Long March 10 carrier rocket, a new generation of manned spacecraft, lunar landers, and manned lunar rovers for the manned lunar mission.