"The footprints of the Chinese people will definitely step on the moon." China plans to achieve manned lunar research by 2030. "China

The schedule of Chinese astronauts is slowly unfolding step by step. From 2024 to 2030, almost every year will leave the footprints of Chinese astronauts exploring the vast universe. The moon is very round and dazzling, and the Chinese people's footsteps in exploring the sky and space are very busy and brave. In the past, it was impossible for people to climb the bright moon, but now it is impossible to climb the moon and explore the Milky Way. The high and unattainable bright moon will be our next stop to inquire about the sky.

"Chinese footprints will definitely step on the moon."

Wu Weiren, academician of the CAE Member and chief designer of the Chinese lunar exploration project: Before 2030, Chinese footprints will surely step on the moon, which is no problem.

"When can China achieve manned lunar landing?" Academician Wu Weiren's words have boosted our confidence.

Chasing the moon from the ninth day has always been a romantic dream for Chinese people. In ancient times, people recited "when will the bright moon appear" and exclaimed about its ups and downs. However, today's Chinese people regard chasing the bright moon as their wish. Recently, the China Manned Space Engineering Office confirmed that China will send astronauts to the moon within the next 7 years. Zhang Hailian, Deputy Chief Engineer of the China Manned Space Engineering Office, also revealed that China plans to achieve manned landing on the moon for scientific exploration before 2030. Afterwards, it will explore the construction of a lunar research and testing station to carry out systematic and continuous lunar exploration and related technology testing and verification.

So, what are the specific steps for us to land on the moon? When will the lunar research and testing station be built? What innovations and breakthroughs will be made in the new generation of manned launch vehicles and manned spacecraft?

The astronauts landed on the moon in three steps in total

Previously, Lin Xiqiang, Deputy Director of China's Manned Space Engineering Office, introduced that the lunar landing phase of China's manned lunar exploration project has been launched and implemented. The overall goal is to achieve the first Chinese landing on the moon by 2030, conduct lunar scientific research and related technological experiments, break through and master key technologies such as manned ground to moon round-trip, short-term lunar stay, and human-machine joint exploration, and complete multiple tasks such as landing, patrol, exploration, research, and return.

The latest released plan also provides detailed steps. Step 1: Two launch vehicles will be used to transport the lunar lander and manned spacecraft to the Earth Moon transfer orbit. The spacecraft and lander will rendezvous and dock in the lunar orbit, and astronauts will enter the lunar lander from the spacecraft. The second step is for the lunar lander to descend and land in the designated area on the lunar surface, and astronauts will land on the moon to conduct scientific research and sample collection. Step three, after completing the established mission, the astronauts will ascend to the lunar orbit and rendezvous with the spacecraft, and return to Earth with samples on board.

The fourth phase of China's lunar exploration project is currently underway

The moon is not only the natural satellite of the Earth, but also the first station for China's space exploration. Before the release of the manned lunar landing plan, China had actually made a lot of preparations for the moon landing. Prior to this, China's lunar exploration project had been progressing step by step around "exploration", "landing", and "landing". At present, China is carrying out the fourth phase of lunar exploration project.

Wu Weiren, academician of the CAE Member and chief designer of the China Lunar Exploration Project, said that the Chang'e-6 mission is planned to be implemented around 2024. Its main task is to sample the back of the moon and return to the earth with lunar samples. This is the first time that humans have collected lunar soil from the back of the moon. Chang'e-7 plans to launch around 2026, aiming to search for evidence of water on the moon's South Pole. Chang'e-8 will cooperate with Chang'e-7 to establish the basic model of an international lunar research station in the South Pole, and conduct a series of experiments on lunar resource exploration and utilization. Wu Weiren also stated that the "lunar water search" mission of Chang'e-7 is very complex and has a very high risk factor, and it is expected to become the first spacecraft to land on the south pole of the moon.

The difficulty of the Chang'e-7 mission to search for water in the South Pole of the Moon is high

Chang'e-7 will consist of lunar orbiters, landers, rovers, and flyers, among other components, which will carry out complex exploration missions at the south pole of the moon. What are the challenges faced by Chang'e-7?

Wu Weiren, academician of the CAE Member and chief designer of the Chinese lunar exploration project: First, this is the first time that the probe has landed at the south pole of the moon. We are not very clear about the terrain, topography, and geographical environment of the South Pole of the Moon. We need to conduct a detailed investigation through orbit. After a thorough investigation, we have initially selected a landing site. We have now selected multiple landing sites and will determine the specific location during the final implementation.

Secondly, Chang'e-7 needs to work on the moon for a long time. The temperature and environment on the moon are very harsh, and like the South Pole and North Pole of Earth, there are polar day and night phenomena. We preliminarily estimate that the long-term illumination at the South Pole of the Moon is about 100 days per year, but it is low temperature, as low as minus 100 degrees Celsius. Working in this environment for a long time requires enduring low temperatures, which is a major challenge we face.

Wu Weiren told us that unlike the previous Chang'e-3, Chang'e-4, and Chang'e-5 missions that landed on the moon, due to the special nature of the Chang'e-7 mission, it needs to deliberately search for places with many craters to land, making it extremely challenging.

Wu Weiren, Academician of the CAE Member and Chief Designer of the China Lunar Exploration Project: Our leaper needs to find water in the pit. The pit is also deeper, and it is better that the sun cannot shine for a long time. Therefore, this puts forward new requirements for the landing point, which is subject to many restrictions. We have preliminarily determined several landing points, and finally choose one or two landing points for landing.

Establish the basic model of an international lunar research station before 2030

The Chang'e-7 mission is just one step in the fourth phase of subsequent lunar exploration missions. In the future, it will form the basic type of international lunar research station with Chang'e-8, and is planned to be completed before 2030.

Wu Weiren, academician of the CAE Member and chief designer of the China Lunar Exploration Project: The relay satellite mainly solves the communication problem between the earth and the probe. Secondly, Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8 land at different locations.

Academician Wu Weiren revealed that Chang'e-8 is planned to be launched around 2028, with the main task of exploring the resources on the moon and conducting experiments on the reuse of resources.

Wu Weiren, academician of the CAE Member and chief designer of the Chinese lunar exploration project: for example, whether it is possible to build a house on the surface and communicate on it, these can be fully tested on Chang'e-8, providing guarantee for the future truly large-scale lunar scientific research.

China's new generation carrier rocket is expected to make its first flight in 2027

The lunar landing has a schedule, and the development of a new generation of manned spacecraft and rockets has also been put on the agenda.

The plan released this time mentions that in order to complete this task, Chinese researchers are developing equipment such as the Long March 10 carrier rocket, a new generation of manned spacecraft, lunar landers, lunar suits, and manned lunar rovers. Previously, according to China's manned space engineering development plan, the newly developed manned carrier rocket for launching China's new generation of manned spacecraft and lunar landers is expected to make its first flight in 2027.