China’s new crewed spaceship for moon missions completes abort test
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
China’s crewed moon landing mission progressing steadily: CMSA
China aims to land its astronauts on the moon before 2030, with the purpose of conducting scientific exploration. The Long March-10 carrier rocket, the manned spacecraft Mengzhou, the lunar lander Lanyue and the moon-landing spacesuit Wangyu are all undergoing prototype testing. Future tests will focus on comprehensive verification of new products and technologies.
Major lunar landing-related equipment, such as the Long March-10 carrier rocket, the manned spacecraft Mengzhou (Dream Vessel), the lunar lander Lanyue (Embracing the Moon), the moon-landing spacesuit Wangyu (Gazing into the Cosmos) and the manned lunar rover Tansuo (To Explore the Unknown), are all undergoing prototype research and development testing as planned, CMSA spokesman Lin Xiqiang revealed at a press conference.
Notably, the lunar remote sensing satellite project has completed its approval and competitive selection processes. The development and construction of ground systems — including the launch site, the measurement and control communication system, and the landing site, are also advancing in order, Lin added.
Several experiments involving the rocket, the manned spacecraft and the lunar lander have been completed, while subsequent large-scale tests will be conducted at the inland launch site at Jiuquan in northwest China and the coastal Wenchang launch site in south China’s Hainan Province, to comprehensively verify critical functions and performance of flight equipment.
Lin noted that future tests will focus on comprehensive verification of new products and technologies — which are “complicated and urgent with great risks and challenges.”
“We will ensure the success of all tests to lay a solid foundation for landing astronauts on the moon as scheduled,” Lin said.
China aims to land its astronauts on the moon before 2030, with the purpose of conducting scientific exploration, according to the CMSA.
Lockheed Completes Key Steps in Spacecraft for Crewed Artemis Mission
Lockheed Martin has transferred the Orion spacecraft to NASA. Orion is designed for a 10-day crewed launch to the Moon and back as part of Project Artemis. The event is targeted for late 2026. Lockheed Martin will continue to develop and assemble versions of the craft for future Artemis missions III, IV, and V. It will try to reduce costs as it scales the technology while maintaining rigorous quality standards.
Orion Prep
Lockheed called it a “significant milestone” as NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) team took possession of the Orion, a spacecraft designed for a 10-day crewed launch to the Moon and back as part of Project Artemis.
The event is targeted for late 2026. Meanwhile, the EGS team will embark on some final prep work for the event, including adding propellants and other consumables and installing a launch abort system.
Safety Benefits
Lockheed calls Orion “the most advanced, human-rated, deep space spacecraft ever developed, designed with crew health and safety in mind.” Precautionary features offer support for the crew’s well-being and include new life support displays and controls, an exercise machine, audio communications, and more.
The goal is for the Orion to provide the best environment for the 4-person crew participating in the Artemis II Moon mission.
Future Launches
Lockheed says that, even though the Orion has been completed, it will continue to develop and assemble versions of the craft for future Artemis missions III, IV, and V. The firm is contracted to develop all of these through Artemis VIII and will try to reduce costs as it scales the technology while maintaining rigorous quality standards.
For now, the company calls its latest achievement “a significant step forward” as it continues to work towards supporting space exploration.
Image credit: NASA
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China conducts pad abort test for crew spacecraft, advancing moon landing plans
China conducted the zero-altitude, or pad abort, test June 17 at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The test marks a milestone for the country’s plans to put astronauts on the moon by 2030. China is planning to conduct an in-flight escape test at maximum dynamic pressure later in the year. China launched a boilerplate version of Mengzhou, then named simply “next-generation crew spacecraft,” on a test flight of the Long March 5B rocket in 2020. The partially reusable LEO version could carry as many as seven astronauts to the Tiangong space station, or fewer astronauts and up to 500 kilograms of cargo. The moon variant, with a mass of up to 26,000 kilograms, will carry three astronauts to lunar orbit and dock there with a separately launched landing stack. It is also possible China could use a purpose-built test rocket to simulate splashdown and recovery.
China conducted the zero-altitude, or pad abort, test June 17 at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert. An ignition command was issued at 12:30 a.m. Eastern (0430 UTC; 12:30 p.m. Beijing time), triggering the Mengzhou spacecraft’s launch escape system solid propellant engines, China’s human spaceflight agency, CMSEO, said in a statement.
Footage of the test shows the escape system rapidly boosting the spacecraft away from the ground. Around 20 seconds later, the vehicle reached a predetermined altitude. The return capsule separated from the escape tower and its parachutes deployed successfully.
The return capsule safely landed in the designated test zone using an airbag cushioning system at 12:32 a.m., marking the test a complete success, CMSEO stated.
The test was designed to verify systems needed to get astronauts in the crew module away from its rocket in an emergency situation. The test marks a milestone for the country’s plans to put astronauts on the moon by 2030.
China is planning to conduct an in-flight escape test at maximum dynamic pressure later in the year. CMSEO has not stated when the latter test will take place. It is also unknown if the test will be conducted at Jiuquan or the coastal Wenchang spaceport.
It is possible China could use a Long March 5B or a purpose-built test rocket to simulate splashdown and recovery from Wenchang, from which future crewed lunar missions will launch.
This is China’s first such test since the Shenzhou spacecraft’s pad abort test in 1998, according to CMSEO.
According to the agency, Mengzhou shifts from the traditional model of “rocket handles abort, spacecraft handles crew rescue,” as used by the Shenzhou, to a system where the Mengzhou spacecraft takes full responsibility for both abort control and crew safety.
NASA conducted a pad abort test for the Orion crew vehicle at the U.S. Army’s White Sands Missile Range in 2010.
Mengzhou: China’s new crew vehicle
The two-module Mengzhou (“dream vessel”) has a modular design and will come in two variants: one for low Earth orbit (LEO) and one for crewed lunar missions. The partially reusable LEO version could carry as many as seven astronauts to the Tiangong space station, or fewer astronauts and up to 500 kilograms of cargo. The moon variant, with a mass of up to 26,000 kilograms, will carry three astronauts to lunar orbit and dock there with a separately launched landing stack.
In 2020, China launched a boilerplate version of Mengzhou, then named simply “next-generation crew spacecraft,” on a test flight of the Long March 5B rocket, testing a high-speed reentry.
CMSEO says the Mengzhou spacecraft will become the core crew vehicle for space station operations and lunar exploration missions.
“The success of this test lays an important technical foundation for future crewed lunar missions,” the CMSEO statement read. “Development work on related spacecraft, such as the Long March 10 launch vehicle and the lunar lander, is progressing steadily and will proceed to further testing as scheduled.”
The Long March 10 uses three, 5.0-meter-diameter core stages powered by YF-100K kerosene-liquid oxygen engines, building on the development of the Long March 5. Its launch facilities are currently being constructed at Wenchang on Hainan island.
An observation platform has been built overlooking Wenchang national and commercial launch areas. A pad for the Long March 10 rocket for crewed missions is under construction on the left hand side. https://t.co/yLzjcjTXVV pic.twitter.com/1lPgyDuS0o — Andrew Jones (@AJ_FI) May 15, 2025
Lockheed Martin Completes Orion Development for Artemis II Mission to the Moon
Orion is the most advanced, human-rated, deep space spacecraft ever developed. Orion Artemis II will put Orion through its final tests in deep space with a crew on board. Artemis II and the Orion spacecraft will host NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. The crew will evaluate the spacecraft’s performance, test its navigation and communication systems, and conduct a series of scientific experiments. Orion will soon be moved from the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center to various processing facilities. It will then be transported to the Vehicle Assembly Building, lifted onto the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and undergo final preparations for launch in early 2026. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor to NASA for Orion and built the crew module, crew module adaptor and launch abort system. The company is on contract to develop Orion spacecraft up to Artemis VIII and has decreased cost with each vehicle.
DENVER, May 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has completed assembly and testing of NASA’s Orion Artemis II spacecraft, transferring possession to NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) team today. This milestone is a significant step for NASA and the Artemis industry team, as they prepare to launch a crew of four astronauts to further the agency’s mission in establishing a human presence on the Moon for exploration and scientific discovery. It will also help build the foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.
Orion is the most advanced, human-rated, deep space spacecraft ever developed. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor to NASA for Orion and built the crew module, crew module adaptor and launch abort system.
“This achievement is a testament to our employees and suppliers who have worked tirelessly to get us to this important milestone,” said Kirk Shireman, vice president of Human Space Exploration and Orion program manager at Lockheed Martin. “The Orion spacecraft completion for Artemis II is a major step forward in our nation’s efforts to develop a long-term lunar presence. It’s exciting to think that soon, humans will see the Earth rise over the lunar horizon from our vehicle, while also traveling farther from Earth than ever before.”
Upgraded for Crew Onboard
The uncrewed EFT-1 and Artemis I test flights were the first steps in validating the spacecraft’s core systems. Artemis II will put Orion through its final tests in deep space with a crew on board and will include learnings and significant enhancements gleaned from the Artemis I mission.
To support the health and safety of the crew, new systems have been added, which include life support – air, water, thermal control, waste management – displays and controls, audio communications, an exercise machine and a fully functional Launch Abort System. Additionally, the vehicle is outfitted with a subset of docking sensors and an experimental laser communication system, enabling high data-rate communications and paving the way for future missions.
Path to Launch
With the completion of Orion, the EGS team will perform final preparations on the spacecraft, readying it for launch. Orion will soon be moved from the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center to various processing facilities. This is where EGS will load propellants and other consumables, such as water and oxygen, and install the launch abort system and its protective fairings. Upon completion, it will then be transported to the Vehicle Assembly Building, lifted onto the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and undergo final preparations for launch.
Historic Artemis Flight
Scheduled to launch in early 2026, Artemis II and the Orion spacecraft will host NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. Their 10-day journey will include flying 4,600 miles beyond the Moon and back to Earth.
During the mission, the crew will evaluate the spacecraft’s performance, test its navigation and communication systems, and conduct a series of scientific experiments. They will perform a rendezvous operation with the SLS upper stage, practicing docking activities needed for future missions including Artemis III – which will mark the first human lunar landing since Apollo 17 in 1972.
With work on Orion for Artemis II completed, Lockheed Martin continues to develop and assemble Orion spacecraft for future Artemis missions. Artemis III and IV vehicles are in the Operations and Checkout Building, while the pressure vessel is being welded at NASA’s Michoud Facility in New Orleans. Lockheed Martin is on contract to develop Orion spacecraft up to Artemis VIII and has decreased cost with each vehicle.
More information about Orion:
Lockheed Martin Orion page: https://www.lockheedmartin.com/orion
NASA Orion page: https://www.nasa.gov/orion
NASA Artemis II page: https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii
About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at Lockheedmartin.com.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin
China to launch new crewed mission into space this week
The Shenzhou-20 mission will blast off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China. It will carry three astronauts to the country’s self-built Tiangong space station for a likely six-month stay. The team will undertake experiments to further the space program’s ambitious aims to place astronauts on the moon by 2030. Beijing says it is on track to send a crewed mission to the moonBy 2030, China says it will build a lunar base. China’s space program was the third to put humans in orbit and has also landed robotic rovers on Mars and the moon. In 2019, it landed its Chang’e-4 probe on the far side of the moon—the first spacecraft ever to do so. In 2021, it will land a small robot on Mars.
China’s Tiangong space station is the space programme’s crown jewel.
China is expected to launch a new crewed mission into space this week, as Beijing takes steady steps toward its goal of putting astronauts on the moon.
The Shenzhou-20 mission will blast off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, carrying three astronauts to the country’s self-built Tiangong space station for a likely six-month stay.
The team will undertake experiments to further the space program’s ambitious aims to place astronauts on the moon by 2030 and eventually build a lunar base.
The country’s space agency said last week that the Shenzhou spaceship and its Long March-2F carrier rocket were transferred to a launch site at the remote desert base and would launch “at an appropriate time in the near future”.
Photographs published by the Xinhua state news agency showed the sleek white rocket perched on a blue pedestal festooned with national flags, pointing toward the heavens, with red-and-gold banners hailing China’s space program.
“At present, the launch site facilities and equipment are in good condition. The functional inspections and joint tests will be carried out as planned,” the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said.
Authorities have not yet given details on the identities of the Shenzhou-20 astronauts or the work they will carry out.
Zhou Wenxing, a staff member at the country’s astronaut training center, said the crew was “in good condition, precise in operation, and smooth in coordination”, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Sunday.
‘Space dream’
China’s previous crewed mission, Shenzhou-19, launched last October and will reach its planned end date on April 29.
A Long March-2F carrier rocket carrying the Shenzhou-19 spacecraft lifts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
It is headed by Cai Xuzhe, a 48-year-old former air force pilot who served a previous stint aboard the Tiangong space station as part of the Shenzhou-14 mission in 2022.
Also among the crew is Wang Haoze, 35, who is China’s only female spaceflight engineer and the third Chinese woman to take part in a crewed mission.
Song Lingdong, a 34-year-old man, completes the trio.
The Shenzhou-19 team has been carrying out tests to see how extreme radiation, gravity, temperature and other conditions affect “bricks” made from components imitating lunar soil, according to reports at the time of the launch.
Under President Xi Jinping, China has forged ahead with plans to achieve its “space dream”.
Its space program was the third to put humans in orbit and has also landed robotic rovers on Mars and the moon.
The jewel in the crown is Tiangong, the space station staffed by teams of three astronauts that are rotated every six months.
Beijing says it is on track to send a crewed mission to the moon by 2030.
In recent decades, the country has poured billions of dollars into developing an advanced space program on par with the United States and Europe.
In 2019, it landed its Chang’e-4 probe on the far side of the moon—the first spacecraft ever to do so. In 2021, it landed a small robot on Mars.
Tiangong, whose core module, Tianhe, launched in 2021, is planned to be used for about 10 years.
© 2025 AFP