Unlike NASA, which does not fail to communicate openly on the progress of its Artemis program for return and installation on the Moon, China adopts a much more reserved position. Thus, as soon as a person in charge of the Chinese lunar program speaks at a press conference, his statements are carefully scrutinized and analyzed. On April 24, at the Jiuquan Spaceport, representatives of the China Human Spaceflight Agency (CMSA) gave a rare update on China’s manned lunar exploration program.
Queqiao-2, a step forward in Chinese lunar exploration
In summary, it should be noted that all indicators are in good shape, that the program is progressing in accordance with forecasts and that China is moving towards its objective of landing its taikonauts on the Moon by the end of the decade, according to the Chinese space agency dedicated to human spaceflight. As pointed out LinenLinen Xiqiang, deputy director of CMSA, “ the development of key program components, such as the Long March 10 launch vehicle, the Mengzhou space vehicle, the Lanyue lunar lander and the lunar suits have now been completed “. And to add that “ there production and testing of prototypes of this equipment is underway “.
Architecture inspired by the Apollo missions
The scenario of this very first Chinese manned mission to the Moon is known. It was revealed a few months ago. The conduct of a Chinese lunar mission differs from the American Apollo program. Unlike missions ApolloApollo, which used a single Saturn V launcher to send the craft to the Moon (consisting of a command center for its service module as well as the lunar module), China opted for a different scenario. For each lunar mission, two Long March 10 rockets will be launched, a few days apart, to place both the Lanyue lunar lander and the crew aboard a MengzhouY into Earth-Moon transfer orbit. Unlike the Apollo command section which maneuvered in Earth orbit (around 200 kilometers) to dock with the lunar module, the Chinese moon train will be assembled in orbit around the Moon. Once on board the lunar module, the crew will be able to descend to the Moon. At the end of its mission to the Moon, the taikonauts and the collected lunar samples will be transferred aboard the MengzhouY vehicle which will return everyone to Earth. The module will be abandoned.
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During this first manned mission to the Moon, two taikonauts will carry out a six-hour exploration of the Moon while the third taikonaut, remaining in orbit around the Moon, will supervise activities on the ground and prepare the return flight to Earth.
Lin Xiqiang also provided interesting information on the training of astronautsastronauts to pilot and operate the Mengzhou and Lanyue space vehicles, including in emergency situations. Training exercises include simulated rendezvous, docking and manual obstacle avoidance during lander descent. Other aspects of the training cover ground activities, including lunar lander exit and entry procedures, working on the Moon, long-range exploration, drilling,samplingsampling and other scientific tasks on the lunar surface. This careful preparation prepares astronauts to face the unique challenges of lunar exploration.
The importance of space exploration for the progress of humanity
In the era of New SpaceNew Space, it is expected that this race for the Moon between the United States and China will stimulate innovation and, why not, promote technological advances that could benefit all of humanity. It is undeniable that since the beginning of the conquest of space, numerous technological spin-offs have emerged and proven to be beneficial for all. These advances have affected various sectors such as telecommunications,Earth observationEarth observationthere meteorologymeteorologymedicine, scientific research, and many other fields.
It is therefore interesting to follow the progress made by the two countries in this area and see how this could impact the future of space exploration and have a significant and positive impact on the daily lives of many people around the world.
