China roves forward on crewed Moon landing plans
On October 29, the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) announced the selection of two competing proposals from CAST and SAST respectively to develop prototypes of a crewed lunar rover for the country’s ambitious first human Moon landing mission end of decade.
Lin Xiqiang, a spokesperson for the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), added via the parent organization CASC’s release that China’s fourth batch of astronauts — 10 unspecified people selected in June — will also train for crewed lunar missions other than for stays at China’s Earth-orbiting Tiangong space station. The training will include conducting geological surveys and mock missions using prototypes and variants of China’s recently unveiled lunar spacesuits. Geology training is a useful skill to inspect samples on the Moon and to help scientists in mission operations identify ones to bring to Earth for detailed studies. Xiqiang also noted the following regarding progress towards China’s first crewed Moon landing:
In addition, the overall plan for pre-launch flight tests as well as the scientific research objectives and payloads for the first manned lunar mission has been basically finalized. Ground systems including the launch site, telemetry and control communications, and the landing site are being developed and constructed.
