HONG KONG, Oct 1 (Alliance News): China has taken a significant step toward its goal of landing astronauts on the moon by 2030, unveiling a specially designed spacesuit for its crew.
The new red-and-white suit, revealed by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), is built to withstand the moon’s extreme conditions—temperature fluctuations, radiation, and dust—while allowing astronauts flexibility for surface tasks.
According to state media, the suit is equipped with advanced technology, including long- and short-range cameras, an operations console, and a glare-proof helmet visor.
In a demonstration video shared by state broadcaster CCTV, renowned Chinese astronauts Zhai Zhigang and Wang Yaping showcased the suit’s capabilities.
The unveiling has garnered international attention, with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk commenting on the pace of China’s space advancements compared to U.S. efforts. Musk’s post on X referenced delays in the U.S. space program, specifically mentioning bureaucratic challenges faced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
China’s lunar ambitions are part of a broader strategy to position itself as a major player in space exploration. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) has already completed complex robotic lunar missions, including the first-ever return of lunar samples from the moon’s far side.
The country aims to become the second nation, after the U.S., to land astronauts on the moon, with a crewed mission planned for 2030.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is also working toward a manned lunar mission, with NASA’s Artemis III mission scheduled for no earlier than September 2026. NASA revealed its prototype Artemis III spacesuit, AxEMU, in 2023.
China’s new spacesuit represents a major advancement in its crewed lunar mission timeline.
Experts highlighted the suit’s necessity for surviving the moon’s harsh conditions, where temperatures can range from 250°F (121°C) during the day to -208°F (-133°C) at night.
Designers have also incorporated cultural elements, such as red stripes symbolizing ribbons from “flying apsaras,” ancient deities from Dunhuang city’s art.
China has named the spacecraft for its crewed lunar mission “Mengzhou” (Dream Vessel) and its lunar lander “Lanyue” (Embracing the Moon).
The mission is part of a broader lunar research initiative, with plans to establish an international lunar research station by 2040.
