China’ s crewed Moon mission 

China plans to land astronauts on the Moon before the end of the decade. The country is developing a next-generation rocket to launch an upgraded crew spacecraft while work is also underway on a lunar lander

LONG MARCH 10*
Height: 88.5 metres

Three-stage rocket: Can transport spacecraft weighing 25 tonnes to lunar orbit

Boosters, first and second stages: Use RP-1 kerosene- liquid oxygen engines
Third stage: Uses liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen engines

1 LUNAR LANDER Descent and ascent vehicles carried to lunar orbit by
Long March 10 launcher

2 CREW SPACECRAFT Three-person crew lift off on second Long March

3 Crew spacecraft docks with lander in lunar orbit. Two crew transfer to lander

4 SEPARATION
Crew spacecraft remains in orbit – lander begins descent

5 STAGED DESCENT
Carried out in two stages. Propulsion stage reduces most of lander’s velocity before touchdown

6 TOUCHDOWN 
Lander separates from propulsion unit – uses its engines to make soft landing

7 ASCENT Lander transports crew back to lunar orbit and docks with crew spacecraft

*Also known as Chang Zheng 10
and Project 921

Lunar lander
Fuel tanks
Airlock
Main engines
Ladder

Propulsion stage


Sources: Andrew Jones, National Museum of China, SpaceNews
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