CGTN – China on Thursday announced that it has successfully completed a comprehensive test for the landing and takeoff of its manned lunar lander, Lanyue, at a test site in north China’s Hebei Province.
The test completed on Wednesday represents a key step in the development of China’s manned lunar exploration program, and it also marks the first time that China has carried out a test for extraterrestrial landing and takeoff of a manned spacecraft, China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said.
According to CMSA, the test validated the integrated performance of the lander’s key systems, including the descent and ascent scheme, control systems, engine shutdown upon lunar touchdown, as well as the interface compatibility between subsystems such as guidance, navigation and control (GNC) and propulsion.
The Lanyue lunar lander is a newly developed spacecraft for China’s future manned lunar exploration missions. It consists of two modules: a lunar module and a propulsion module, and is capable of transporting two astronauts, a lunar rover and various scientific payloads between lunar orbit and the moon’s surface.
Following lunar touchdown, Lanyue will also serve as a habitable activity center for astronauts, acting as a power hub, data relay and living quarters, enabling extended lunar stays and surface operations.
(With input from Xinhua)
