By 
February 12th, 2026
Image credit: CMSE
China is stepping up its activities in testing various elements of its humans-to-the-Moon program.
“It is estimated that by the end of this year, China will fully achieve testing and launch capabilities for the crewed lunar exploration program,” said Zhong Wen’an, a technician at China’s Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Next-generation spaceship
On February 11, China test launched its Mengzhou (dream vessel) spacecraft, China’s new-generation spaceship for crewed flight, also successfully conducting a maximum dynamic pressure abort test.
The uncrewed Mengzhou was flown on a low-altitude demonstration and verification flight test for the Long March-10 carrier rocket – a derivation of the booster to be utilized for China’s human Moon exploration undertaking.
Image credit: CMSE
Mengzhou is designed primarily for China’s crewed lunar exploration initiative, and can also be used for space station operations. Its return capsule is capable of multiple reuses, reports China Central Television (CCTV).
Ocean recovery
This week’s test flight involved the first ignition flight of the Long March-10 rocket. Both the rocket’s first stage and return capsule landed in their designated ocean recovery zones.
The rocket’s first stage and the spacecraft’s return capsule then splashed down separately in their designated sea areas, as planned.
Image credit: AsiaToday/Inside Outer Space screengrab
The test flight saw the first evaluation of a sea landing and recovery of Mengzhou’s return capsule, which will bring China’s spacefarers back to Earth.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
“This laid the foundation for completing verification flights for the crewed lunar exploration program, and eventually, lunar landings. Efforts to build the equipment and facilities required for a comprehensive launch and test system are progressing as planned,” said Zhong.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Significant flight test
Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China’s manned space program told CCTV: “This was a highly significant flight test, especially the retrieval technologies, which are entirely new to us. Achieving success on the very first attempt represents a leapfrog development.”
Wang Zhifei, a researcher at China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, said the successful soft splashdown and retrieval from the sea “marks a crucial and significant breakthrough in China’s reusable carrier rocket technology and will also greatly promote the upgrading of China’s carrier rocket technology.”
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Space program officials heralded the successful test of its new-generation heavy-lift rocket and next-generation piloted spacecraft as a significant step forward for China’s crewed lunar program.
For a newly-issued video focused on the test flight, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/2689199744771289
For the first stage ocean landing, also go to:
Posted in Space News
