China sets out plan to send astronauts to the Moon by 2030

China has outlined a plan to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030, using two Long March 10 rockets to send a lander and crew capsule into lunar orbit. The proposal matters as Beijing sets out its ambitions for the next five years of its space programme.

The capsule, Mengzhou, is expected to carry three astronauts; two would transfer to the Lanyue lander and descend to the lunar surface. China plans near-Earth orbit tests and an uncrewed lunar visit before attempting a crewed landing. The announcement follows the postponement of the Chang’e 7 robotic mission, now expected to be tried again next year, and the publication of 17 new spaceflight standards.