China Aims for Manned Moon Landing by 2030, Starts Lunar Rover Development

China has officially begun the development of a lunar rover that its astronauts will use on the Moon's surface.

China is pursuing various projects with the goal of achieving a manned Moon landing by 2030.

In 2023, China finalized its plan to procure lunar rovers through private enterprises and invited proposals from interested companies. Recently, two companies were selected.

The chosen entities are the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), both subsidiaries of the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

Lin Xiqiang, spokesperson for the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO), stated in an announcement on October 29, "Both teams have demonstrated unique competitiveness in innovation and development. The two selected prototype developers will proceed with their projects independently."

According to the proposal released by CMSEO in 2023, the lunar rover must have a maximum mass of 200 kg, be able to carry two astronauts, and travel up to 10 km.


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China Aims for Manned Moon Landing by 2030, Starts Lunar Rover Development