By 
February 12th, 2025
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
China’s Moon exploration plans, including placing humans on the lunar landscape before 2030, continues to progress.
The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) unveiled today the names of the lunar landing spacesuit and human-carrying lunar rover.
The Moon walking spacesuit is named “Wangyu”, meaning “gazing into the cosmos.”
“Tansuo” is the name selected for the rover, meaning “to explore the unknown.”
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
These two names build upon a public naming campaign for China’s piloted Moon craft that took place in 2023, with the CMSA launching the naming campaigns for the lunar spacesuit and rover in September and October 2024.
Prototype development stage
“During the early stages of development, we have mastered key technologies such as the manufacture of lightweight and smaller-sized moon-landing spacesuits, as well as comprehensive protection against complex environments,” said Zhang Wanxin, director, spacesuit engineering office, China Astronaut Research and Training Center.
Zhang Wanxin, director, spacesuit engineering office, China Astronaut Research and Training Center.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
“We have now fully entered the prototype development stage, and are currently conducting comprehensive performance and function assessments and verifications of the prototype products,” Zhang told China Central Television (CCTV).
According to CCTV, the development and construction of the lunar landing phase of China’s human lunar exploration program are advancing as scheduled. The program has now entered the initial prototype development phase.
China lunar rover testing.
Image credit: CCTV/CMSA/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Ground trials
China’s humans to the Moon endeavor will complete multiple tasks, including “landing, patrolling, sampling, research, and return,” and establish an independent and autonomous manned lunar exploration capability.
CCTV also reports that the Long March-10 carrier rocket, the Mengzhou crewed spacecraft, the Lanyue lunar lander, along with the just-named lunar spacesuit and rover are in the initial prototype production and testing phase.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Related ground trials are progressing as planned, CCTV adds. Ground facilities and equipment supporting these production and testing activities have been completed and are now operational. Similarly, construction at the Wenchang launch site to support China’s Moon landing effort is progressing as planned.
Prototype work on China’s lunar lander – Lanyue.
Image credit: CCTV/CMSA/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Go to this video detailing China’s Moon plans at:
Posted in Space News
