China announces three-year lunar landing target, intensifying Space race
The China Manned Space Agency has publicly revealed its intention to land astronauts on the Moon within the next three years, setting the stage for a heightened competition with the United States. This announcement comes as the US faces potential delays in its own lunar landing program, which could extend to 2030 or beyond due to challenges in developing a lunar lander, a project involving SpaceX and Blue Origin with multibillion-dollar contracts.
Recent testing indicates significant progress within China’s space program. In August 2025, a high-fidelity mock-up of the 26-ton Lanyue lunar lander underwent a successful trial near Beijing. The test involved tethering the mock-up to simulate lunar gravity while activating its engines and thrusters to simulate landing and takeoff.
The Mengzhou spacecraft, slated for a 2027 test launch atop a Long March 10A rocket, has arrived at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan, China.
US lawmakers are responding to China’s advancements by granting NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman considerable authority to accelerate the Artemis Program. This includes streamlining operations, canceling the Lunar Gateway space station, and re-evaluating upgrades to the Space Launch System rocket. Isaacman recently unveiled plans to collaborate with Blue Origin on lunar lander development, aiming to place the Orion spacecraft into low-lunar orbit.
“We have the mandate, we have the resources, and the support from our stakeholders to be able to execute, and that’s what we intend to do,” Isaacman stated.
China’s commitment to lunar exploration aims to achieve a significant geopolitical milestone before the United States returns to the Moon. Both nations are also focused on establishing a long-term presence at the Moon’s South Pole, with Isaacman pledging NASA’s commitment to building a lunar base within the next decade.
Source
“China publicly discloses plan for a lunar landing within three years”
Read the original report ↗This story is an AI-assisted version of the original report, checked and edited by the Plainwire desk before publication. Read our editorial policy · Report an error
Read next
NASA concludes year-long Mars simulation to prepare for future missions
Four NASA astronauts have concluded a year-long isolation experiment designed to prepare for potential crewed missions to Mars. The team emerged…
Related
Caught up in five lines
The Brief: the day’s biggest stories, written by our desk at and .