Lunar Rocket Launch by China Signifies a Key Step Towards Sending Astronauts to the Moon
China's New Long March-10 Rocket Gears Up for International Lunar Research Station Mission
China is embarking on an ambitious space mission to build the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) in cooperation with Russia and other partners, with a goal of completion by the mid-2030s. The mission will utilise the Long March-10 rocket and the Mengzhou spacecraft as key components in its lunar exploration and construction efforts.
The Long March-10 rocket, standing at 92 meters tall, is a new development in China's space program. It boasts a thrust three times that of the Long March-5, China's most powerful rocket currently. The rocket underwent a successful test under both normal and high-power conditions, yielding a full set of data.
The ILRS is envisioned as a complex lunar base, possibly supported by a nuclear power plant to provide stable energy for long-term research and habitation on the Moon. However, it's important to note that the exact launch dates for the Mengzhou spacecraft and Lanyue lander, as well as the specific nature of the base to be built on the moon, are yet to be confirmed.
The Mengzhou spacecraft and Lanyue lander will be launched separately by the Long March-10 rockets, with each of the two boosters of the Long March-10 equipped with seven YF-100K engines. The two vehicles are intended to rendezvous in lunar orbit.
Under current plans, two Long March-10 rockets will be used for the crewed Mengzhou spacecraft and the Lanyue lander. The exact number of astronauts aboard the Mengzhou spacecraft is not specified.
The ILRS mission does not currently specify concrete dates for a lunar landing attempt by 2030. The 2030 date mentioned in related contexts primarily refers to the United States’ accelerated goal of deploying a nuclear reactor on the Moon to support its Artemis program. China’s associated nuclear power plant and ILRS infrastructure are aimed for completion around 2035.
The superheavy launcher, not specified, can deliver 27 tonnes to a trans-lunar orbit, providing the necessary power for the ILRS mission.
In summary, the Long March-10 rocket and Mengzhou spacecraft are key components in China's plans for a crewed lunar mission, with the ILRS aimed for completion around 2035. The mission involves the use of two Long March-10 rockets, each equipped with seven YF-100K engines, for launching the Mengzhou spacecraft and Lanyue lander separately. The two vehicles are intended to rendezvous in lunar orbit, with the Long March-10 rocket likely intended for landing astronauts and building a base on the Moon. The exact launch dates, number of astronauts, and nature of the base to be built on the Moon are yet to be confirmed.
[1] China's International Lunar Research Station [2] China's Long March-10 rocket [3] China's Nuclear Power Plant for the Moon
[1] China's International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) is a significant step in the field of space-and-astronomy, marking a collaboration between China, Russia, and other partners to establish a complex lunar base in the mid-2030s.
[2] Powered by seven YF-100K engines, China's Long March-10 rocket, one of the key components in the lunar exploration efforts, boasts a thrust three times that of China's most powerful rocket, the Long March-5.
