China Manned Space Administration (CMSEO) officials provided an update on the manned lunar program at a press conference held at the Jiuquan Cosmodrome on April 24, 2024.

“Program development of key flight components has been completed, including the Changzheng 10 rocket, Menzhou spacecraft, Lan Yue lunar lander and lunar spacesuits. Production and testing of prototypes continues at full speed. Rocket engines are undergoing firing tests, and new launch infrastructure for lunar exploration at Wenchang is under construction,” said CMSEO deputy director Lin Xitsang.

Chinese officials had previously announced plans to send two taikonauts to the lunar surface by 2030. The current plan for the conquest of the Earth’s natural satellite by the Chinese looks something like this. “Menzhou” and “Lan Yue” with a crew will be sent to the moon on two super-heavy rockets “Changzhen-10” (they are also currently under development). They will dock there, then two taikonauts will board Lan Yue and land on the moon. The taikonauts will then conduct studies on the moon’s surface and take off, rejoin “Menzhou” and return to Earth.