# China targets lunar landing before 2030

> Chinese space officials outline a four-mission plan to land astronauts on the Moon within three years, racing NASA to return humans to the lunar surface.
- Title: China targets lunar landing before 2030 · Ars Technica
- Summary: Chinese space officials outline a four-mission plan to land astronauts on the Moon within three years, racing NASA to return humans to the lunar surface…
- Keywords: china, lunar landing, space exploration, nasa, artemis program, long march rocket, mengzhou spacecraft, lanyue lander, technology, science, targets, lunar
- Source: Ars Technica — https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/11/china-releases-timeline-for-lunar-landing-on-the-moon-targeting-before-2030
- Published: 2026-11-02T17:09:13+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: china, lunar landing, space exploration, nasa, artemis program, long march rocket, mengzhou spacecraft, lanyue lander, technology, science
## China announces lunar landing plan
At the Seventh Manned Spaceflight Conference in Beijing, Chinese space officials including Wang Xiang, chief designer for the lunar exploration program, confirmed plans for a crewed lunar landing before 2030.
## How China will reach the Moon
China's approach uses lunar-orbit rendezvous like NASA's Apollo program. Lacking a rocket as powerful as the Saturn V, the crew and lunar lander will launch separately to the Moon.
## Mission one: early 2027
An uncrewed test of the Long March 10A rocket and the Mengzhou spacecraft to low-Earth orbit. This is the first step in China's four-mission sequence toward a crewed landing.
## Mission two: 2028
An uncrewed test of the larger Long March 10 rocket and the Lanyue lunar lander, including descent and ascent from the Moon's surface. This tests the lander's ability to reach and leave the lunar surface.
## Mission three: 2029
A concurrent launch of two Long March 10 rockets, one carrying uncrewed Mengzhou and the other the Lanyue vehicle. They will dock in lunar orbit to test the rendezvous procedure.
## Mission four: crewed landing
A dual launch of Long March 10 rockets, this time with crew on the Mengzhou spacecraft, leading to the crewed landing mission. Target is before 2030, racing NASA's 2028 goal.
## NASA accelerates its own timeline
NASA targets 2028 for a lunar landing. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has cancelled the Lunar Gateway space station and planned Space Launch System upgrades to accelerate the Artemis Program.

> We have the mandate, we have the resources, and the support from our stakeholders to be able to execute, and that's what we intend to do.
## The stakes: geopolitical competition
For years China has committed to landing astronauts on the Moon before the United States returns, to score a major geopolitical win.Both nations are also building capabilities for long-term presence at the Moon's South Pole.
## Key takeaway

China publicly disclosed plans to land astronauts on the Moon before 2030, setting out a four-mission timeline that puts it in direct competition with NASA's 2028 target.