The Asian country will also explore the construction of a lunar scientific research station and carry out long-term and systematic lunar exploration.

the Moon before 2030 to carry out scientific exploration, according to a preliminary plan released by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). The plan is to launch two carrier rockets to send a lunar craft and a manned spacecraft into lunar orbit, respectively. The ship and the lunar module will meet and dock with each other, and then the taikonauts will enter the lunar module.

As the lunar lander descends and reaches the predetermined area on the lunar surface, the taikonauts will carry out scientific tasks and collect samples.

After completing the planned tasks, the taikonauts will return to the lunar module, which will take them back to lunar orbit to dock with their spacecraft. In the final step, the spacecraft will carry the taikonauts back to Earth with the lunar samples.

Chinese researchers are working on the development of the Long March-10 carrier rocket, a new generation of manned spacecraft, a lunar module, a lunar landing spacesuit, a manned lunar rover and other equipment, Zhang Hailian, CMSA deputy chief designer, told a space industry forum in Wuhan, capital of China’s central Hubei province. The new carrier rocket will have three and a half stages with a carrying capacity of about 27 tons to transfer lunar orbit, and the rocket body will have a diameter of five meters.

The new generation of manned spacecraft consists of three parts: an escape tower, a reentry capsule and a service capsule, Zhang said, adding that the new spacecraft will employ modular designs that can meet the needs of both near-Earth exploration and deep space exploration. The lander will consist of two parts: a landing section and a propulsion section, and will be able to send two taikonauts to the lunar surface at the same time.

The lunar rover will weigh 200 kg and will be able to accommodate two taikonauts. In addition, the spacesuit being developed for moon landing, with a continuous working time of no less than eight hours, will feature better mobility to help taikonauts walk, climb, stoop, drive and operate machines.