China on Thursday announced a major step forward for its lunar ambitions: the Chinese Manned Space Agency (CMSA) successfully completed the first full landing and takeoff test of its manned lunar lander, Lanyue, at a test site in Hebei Province in the Chinese mainland.
Building a bridge between imagination and reality, the trial validated key systems that will power future moon missions. Engineers confirmed the descent and ascent schemes, control systems, engine shutdown on touchdown, and the interface compatibility between guidance, navigation and control (GNC) and propulsion subsystems.
Lanyue is designed as a two-module spacecraft: a lunar module for surface operations and a propulsion module for orbit transfers. It can carry two astronauts, a lunar rover and multiple scientific payloads. Once on the lunar surface, the lander doubles as a habitable activity center—providing power, data relay and living quarters to support extended exploration.
Data-driven design and rigorous simulations paved the way for this milestone. According to CMSA, every subsystem performed within expected parameters, demonstrating that Lanyue’s integrated architecture can handle the challenges of extraterrestrial operations.
For young global citizens and tech enthusiasts watching the new space race, this test signals that China’s manned lunar program is shifting into high gear. Analysts point out that successful landing and liftoff are critical precursors to crewed missions—paving the way for deeper scientific studies and potential international collaborations.
Looking ahead, CMSA plans to refine Lanyue’s systems through a series of ground and orbital tests before a full crewed mission. As nations and private players ramp up their moon ambitions, this breakthrough cements Lanyue’s role in the next chapter of lunar exploration.
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China completes first landing, takeoff test of manned lunar lander
cgtn.com
