Hardware for first flight test of China's lunar launch vehicle and spacecraft spotted near Wenchang
Hardware for the first flight test of the launch vehicle and spacecraft in China's crewed lunar programme was spotted near Wenchang, a step toward its pre-2030 goal.
Hardware for the first flight test of the launch vehicle and spacecraft for China's crewed lunar programme was spotted near the Wenchang spaceport and appears to have arrived there, according to a report published by SpaceNews.
The step represents tangible progress in the test campaign China needs before attempting to land astronauts on the lunar surface, a goal Beijing has set for before 2030.
Before the crewed landing attempt, China plans to launch a separate mission for the Lanyue lunar lander, then carry out a full uncrewed landing rehearsal.
The plan includes testing the launch vehicle and spacecraft on a first flight before moving to landing tests, as Beijing wants to confirm both systems are ready before sending astronauts to the Moon.
What do these terms mean?
Launch vehicle: The rocket that carries the spacecraft from Earth into space.
Lanyue lunar lander: A vehicle designed to land on the lunar surface and carry astronauts between lunar orbit and the surface.
Uncrewed mission: A spaceflight carried out without astronauts on board to test systems before crewed missions.
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