China space plan: China has achieved another major success towards sending its astronauts on the moon. China’s plan is to send three astronauts to the moon by 2030. Growing towards this goal, China conducted a successful escape test of its new lunar mission “Mengzhou “‘s Return Capsule on 17 June. In this test, the capsules of Mengzhou were successfully separated from the escape tower. This test is important because this technology ensures safety of astronauts in the event of emergency. This was China’s second “zero-hit escape flight test” after the 1998 Shanejhou Mission, that is, in a situation when the vehicle is very low from the ground and the capsule has to be separated in the emergency.
Mengzhou: ‘Dream ship’
This lunar vehicle of China is named Mengzhou, which means “dream ship”. The special feature of this vehicle is that its escape and rescue systems are completely inside the spacecraft, while in the earlier Shanejhou mission, this work was done by rocket system. This means that astronauts will now be more secure and the system is more self -sufficient.
Technical improvement in escape system
The escape system of this mission has been developed by the fourth academy of China’s Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC). He informed that this time the escape system has been developed using indigenous sensors and mechanical systems. Along with this, SRM (solid rocket motor) technology has been used, which creates thrust through solid fuel. This system has been installed on the upper part of the return capsule, so that astronauts can be evacuated immediately if needed.
Future Preparation- Long March 10A Mission
CMSA said that now the next big mission will be launched in 2026 long March 10A rocket. This mission will play an important role in future preparations. After the Escape Test of Mengzhou, the plan of China’s manned lunar mission will now move forward.
Launch on Moon three times and landing in 2030
China had earlier sent an unmanned vehicle called Changai 6 to the moon in May 2023. Now CNSA plans to launch a long March 10 rocket between 2027 and 2030. During the mission of 2030, the vehicle carrying three astronauts will go to the moon and do the dock with a lander and then landing on the surface of the moon.
In this way, China’s lunar mission is no longer a dream, but with accurate technical preparation and step by step, it is growing seriously towards sending humans on the moon.