You are here:
The new space race is no longer science fiction — and China is moving fast to challenge NASA for the next giant leap. As crews continue launching to the Tiangong space station, Beijing is quietly building the technology, experience, and confidence needed to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030. With ambitious timelines, advanced spacecraft in development, and growing international attention, China’s lunar push could reshape the future of space exploration and reignite a global competition that hasn’t been seen since the Apollo era.
China successfully sent three astronauts to the Tiangong space station on Sunday, marking another major step in the country’s ambitious push toward long-term human spaceflight and its planned Moon landing by 2030.
The crew lifted off aboard the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft at 11:08 a.m. Eastern time on May 24 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, located in the Gobi Desert. The mission launched on top of a Long March 2F rocket, one of China’s most trusted vehicles for crewed space missions.
Just over three and a half hours later, the spacecraft successfully docked with the Tianhe core module of the Tiangong space station.
The mission is led by Commander Zhu Yangzhu, joined by astronauts Zhang Zhiyuan and Lai Ka-ying. Lai made history as the first astronaut from Hong Kong to travel into orbit. Before joining China’s astronaut program, he served in the Hong Kong police force as a payload specialist.
Zhu is already familiar with life in space after previously flying on the Shenzhou-16 mission in 2023. Meanwhile, Zhang is a former fighter pilot from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force.
The arrival of the trio means the Tiangong space station will soon transition to a new crew as the current astronauts prepare to head back to Earth later this month.
One of the biggest highlights of the Shenzhou-23 mission is China’s plan to keep one astronaut continuously in space for an entire year — a first for the country’s human spaceflight program.
The China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) confirmed the plan during a May 23 press conference but did not reveal whether Zhu or Zhang would complete the year-long mission.
To make this possible, one of two Pakistani astronaut candidates currently training in Beijing will join the upcoming Shenzhou-24 mission later this year. After arriving at Tiangong and spending a few days aboard the station, the visiting astronaut will take the seat of either Zhu or Zhang for the return trip to Earth.
The mission will also mark another milestone for Tiangong, as it will become the first time an international astronaut visits the Chinese-built space station since its completion in 2022.
The newly arrived astronauts were welcomed aboard by the current Shenzhou-21 crew: Zhang Lu, Zhang Hongzhang, and Wu Fei. Over the next several days, the outgoing crew will transfer control of the station before returning to Earth on May 29.
During their stay aboard Tiangong, the Shenzhou-23 astronauts will carry out a wide range of scientific experiments involving medicine, human physiology, microgravity physics, and advanced technologies.
Some of the planned studies include research on liver cell lipid metabolism, rice plant growth cycles in space, and tests involving two different types of perovskite solar cell materials.
The crew will also perform several spacewalks and help with the installation, maintenance, and repair of equipment both inside and outside the station as China continues expanding its long-term presence in space.
China has revealed more details about its future human spaceflight and lunar exploration plans, with officials confirming the country’s goal of landing two astronauts on the Moon before 2030. The update was shared during a May 23 press conference by the CMSEO, offering a clearer look at how the country intends to close the gap toward a new era of lunar exploration.
According to CMSEO spokesperson Zhang Jingbo, China’s Tiangong space station is playing a central role in preparing for future crewed lunar missions. He explained that the station supports lunar ambitions in three key ways.
First, it provides astronauts with long-duration spaceflight experience. Second, it serves as a testing ground for critical technologies needed for lunar landings. This includes experiments such as a microgravity surface tension tank liquid sloshing test, which was launched aboard the Tianzhou-10 robotic resupply mission and is designed to help improve spacecraft stability during landing operations.
The third pillar of China’s strategy involves a new generation of space hardware. Over the next two years, the Long March 10A rocket and the Mengzhou crew spacecraft are expected to undergo multiple test flights to Tiangong. These missions will help verify systems needed for future Moon landings.
China is also developing the full Long March 10 rocket, which will eventually launch the Mengzhou spacecraft together with the Lanyue lunar lander. This combined system is intended to carry astronauts from Earth orbit to the lunar surface.
Zhang noted that key test flights for the Long March 10 rocket, Mengzhou spacecraft, and Lanyue lander are planned, although no specific timeline was provided. Meanwhile, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has suggested that China could conduct a crewed lunar flyby as early as 2027, highlighting the growing pace of global lunar competition.
Alongside its human spaceflight plans, China is also advancing its robotic Moon program. The Chang’e-7 mission, which arrived at the Wenchang spaceport in April, is currently undergoing final preparations for launch in the second half of the year.
Zhang said the mission is progressing smoothly and remains on schedule.
Now overseen by CMSEO, China’s lunar exploration program has been reorganized to bring both robotic and human Moon missions under a single management structure, streamlining development efforts.
Chang’e-7 is designed to land near the Moon’s south pole, one of the most scientifically valuable regions due to the possibility of water ice in permanently shadowed areas. The mission will include an orbiter, lander, rover, and a small flying probe designed to search for ice deposits.
This mission is also seen as an important precursor to China’s long-term goal of building an International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), which would serve as a sustained human and robotic presence on the Moon in the years ahead.
Source: SpaceNews
Copyright @2026 CIRBS LLC
Public collection title
Private collection title
Here you'll find all collections you've created before.
