China's ambitious space program has set its sights on landing astronauts on the moon before the year 2030, along with plans to enhance its orbiting space station, according to a report by AP.
Space Race
Against the backdrop of a rivalry with the United States to achieve significant milestones in space, Monday's announcement has evoked memories of the space race between the US and the former Soviet Union in the 1960s and 1970s.
However, the US currently holds a notable advantage over China in terms of spending, supply chains, and capabilities, at least for the time being, according to AP.
As part of its commitment to crewed missions, the US aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface by the end of 2025, with the support of private sector companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin.
During a news conference, the deputy director of China's space agency acknowledged the twin objectives without disclosing specific dates. Furthermore, the agency introduced a team of three astronauts who are scheduled to embark on a mission to the country's space station on Tuesday morning.
These astronauts will take over from the previous crew, which has resided on the orbiting station for the past six months.
During a military-run program briefing, Lin Xiqiang, the Deputy Director of the Chinese Manned Space Agency, revealed China's strategy, which involves preparing for a brief stay on the lunar surface and conducting joint exploration between humans and robots.
Lin highlighted the country's comprehensive near-Earth human space station, a human round-trip transportation system, and a well-established process for selecting, training, and supporting new astronauts.
The agency plans to carry out two crewed missions annually, considering it adequate to accomplish its objectives.
As for the Tiangong space station, it was declared complete with the addition of its third section in November. Lin explained that a fourth module would be launched at an appropriate time to further facilitate scientific experiments and improve the working and living conditions for the crew.
Upcoming Shenzhou 16 Mission
The upcoming Shenzhou 16 mission will witness a brief overlap between the current crew and the incoming trio of astronauts. Over the past six months, the existing crew has been actively involved in conducting experiments and assembling equipment both inside and outside the spacecraft.
Notably, this new crew marks a significant departure from tradition as it includes a civilian member, breaking away from the previous practice of exclusively selecting individuals from the People's Liberation Army.
China's pursuit of building its own space station stems from its exclusion from the International Space Station, a decision influenced by objections from the United States regarding the Chinese space programs' connections to the People's Liberation Army.
This exclusion has further heightened the competition between China and the United States in the field of space exploration, as these two leading global economies vie for diplomatic and military supremacy.
On the other hand, the astronauts dispatched by NASA to the moon by the end of 2025 will prioritize exploration of the lunar south pole, known for its persistently shaded craters that are thought to harbor substantial reserves of frozen water.
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