Is a New Moon Race Underway? China Raises Doubts.

China has announced that it will send its first astronaut to the moon before 2030, marking the country’s entry into the new moon race. Unlike the previous moon race between the Soviet Union and the United States, which was driven by politics, this time the purpose of lunar exploration is to achieve scientific and engineering goals. China’s manned lunar program aims to advance the country’s space technology and high-tech industry, rather than competing with other countries. The launch vehicle to be used for China’s manned lunar program is called “Long March-10,” a new generation human-rated launch vehicle that uses many proven technologies. China will also develop a new spacecraft called the “Lunar Lander,” which will be propelled into lunar orbit by Long March-10 and dock with the new spaceship in lunar orbit. The soft-landing technologies demonstrated in Chang’e-3, 4, and 5 robotic lunar missions can also be used in the manned Lunar Lander. China has already engaged in high-level international cooperation on its robotic lunar and space station programs, and it is confident that it will engage in cooperation with more countries on its manned lunar program.