Beijing landing astronauts on lunar surface

The first step is to produce a powerful launch vehicle

FUJIAN PROVINCE, China (China Daily) — China is determined to land its astronauts on the moon and set up a scientific station there, according to a project leader.

Zhou Yanfei, deputy chief designer of China’s manned space program, said on Friday that China wishes to use the manned lunar missions to carry out scientific surveys and technology demonstrations, explore ways to develop lunar resources and strengthen the nation’s space capabilities.

China must depend on its own science and technology to realize our goals.

“A new wave of lunar explorations has been emerging in the world, with participants aiming to make sustainable missions to deepen knowledge of the moon and exploit resources there,” he said in a report delivered at the 2020 China Space Conference in Fuzhou, Fujian province. “Unlike other nations, China must depend on its own science and technology to realize our goals.”

The country is independently able to land its astronauts on the moon because it has the technologies, a group of well-trained, innovative professionals and high-efficiency research and management systems, Zhou said.

Planners, designers and engineers have done feasibility research and discussed all aspects of the manned lunar program.

Chinese researchers will have to overcome a long list of technical and engineering difficulties, Zhou said.

“Our existing carrier rockets can’t perform landing missions to the moon because they are not powerful enough. The Shenzhou-series manned spaceships are not suitable for lunar expeditions. We don’t have a lunar landing capsule,” he said.