China is integrating commercial competition into its manned lunar exploration program, to speed up development. The agency introduced competing models for a manned lunar rover, satellites for remote sensing of the surface of the Moon and low-cost cargo transportation systems for the space station. Contracts were concluded through competitive selection, and development continues. The scale and share of commercial participants has grown significantly, which significantly accelerates the program.
In the future, commercial competition will extend to the development of scientific payloads, including the Lunar Science Probe Platform and Crater Detection Systems. China, as before, intends to land astronauts on the moon before 2030 year, and a detailed development and testing schedule is already being developed.
Among the key upcoming tests is the comprehensive testing of the Lunar Landing Module Lanyuet, heat and maximum dynamic pressure exit tests on the Menzhou manned spacecraft, as well as low-altitude and technology testing flights on the Changzheng-10 launch vehicle. The Menzhou-1 spacecraft mission will be featured in a public logo search campaign, servicing lunar missions and supporting the operation of space stations in low Earth orbit.
Preliminary prototyping of critical equipment has been completed: Velikiy Pohid-10 missiles, spacecraft "Menzhou", landing module "Lanuet", lunar spacesuit "Wanyu" and manned lunar rover "Tansuo". The development of the scientific payload has been completed, and ground infrastructure, such as a launch pad, tracking networks and landing sites on Earth, is being developed rapidly.
Several trials have been completed this year, in particular, tests of the engine of the second stage of the Changzheng-10 rocket and its launch in a closed state, testing of the Menzhou spacecraft to escape from zero altitude, as well as a comprehensive check of the landing and takeoff of the "Lanuet" landing module. Despite the progress, many new technologies require further validation in a short time frame and to high quality standards.
China conducts key full-scale test of Lanyue lander, simulating landing and takeoff on the lunar surface in the environment, which reproduces the lunar terrain and gravity. The landing module is designed to carry two astronauts, scientific equipment, life support systems and supplies for long ground missions. This test tested the operation of the propulsion system, guidance systems, management and mechanical systems, which was a significant step towards achieving the goal of landing on the moon 2030 year.
The Veliky Pohid-10 rocket also underwent serious static fire tests involving seven engines, which ignited at the same time, having reached almost 1000 tons of traction - the largest ever carried out in China, which meets the needs of the monthly launch program.
Source: https://www.spacedaily.com