China tests Lanyue lunar lander

The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) conducted a comprehensive test of the Lanyue manned lander in hover mode and simulated lunar landing. The test took place on August 6, 2025 at the Huailai Test Site in Hebei Province.

A special system of towers and servos on which the Lanyue module was suspended simulated lunar gravity. During the test, both the module's correction and orientation engines and the main engines were used. In addition to descent and landing, the module was also tested hovering above the surface to test its terrain recognition and obstacle avoidance capabilities. There was only one safe landing site on the improvised landing site, which the module had to find on its own.

"Compared to the lander for automated Mars exploration missions, the most important feature of the Lanyue lunar lander is the presence of a crew. The basis of its design is unconditional human safety. All tests are focused on ensuring the safe landing and return of astronauts," commented Academician Wang Xiaolei from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) on the testing.

As a reminder, the Lanyue lander is one of two components of China's manned lunar program. The other is the Mengzhou spacecraft. Lanyue closely resembles the American Apollo landing modules.

The spacecraft and lander will be launched into Earth orbit by separate Long March 10 launch vehicles, then dock and travel to lunar orbit. Mengzhou will remain in lunar orbit, while Lanyue will land and return the astronauts. This is a one-to-one arrangement that NASA used 50 years ago.

The first flight of the Chinese lunar mission is expected in 2027, with a human landing on the Moon in 2030. The American Artemis III mission, whose members are to land on the Moon, is scheduled for mid-2027.