China aims for 2030 crewed Moon landing, 2035 base
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- China launched Project 921 on 21 Sep 1992, achieving ~15 crewed missions since 2003.
- Tiangong welcomed its first crew in 2021 and now hosts three taikonauts.
- CNSA plans a 2026 test flight of the Mengzhou spacecraft to enable lunar orbit.
- Long March‑10 completed its first low‑altitude flight on 11 Feb, a key launch vehicle for lunar missions.
- Lanyue lander slated for a 2028‑2029 maiden flight to deliver crew to the Moon.
- International Lunar Research Station targeted for 2035 near the south pole, with 3D‑printed bricks and a Chang’e‑8 test mission around 2028.
- Russia partners with China on the ILRS, which will support a future Mars mission after 2040.
Why it matters: China’s accelerated lunar schedule gives it a strategic foothold in deep‑space exploration and potential resource extraction, while challenging NASA’s Artemis program and reshaping the geopolitical balance of space capabilities. It also secures Chinese industrial and scientific leadership, while the United States must accelerate its own lunar plans to maintain dominance.
