China closer to achieving its 2024 moon landing dream
China is making significant strides toward achieving its moon landing aspirations in 2024. The nation's ambitious plans include advanced technological developments and strategic missions that bring them closer to this historic milestone. With a focus on lunar exploration, China is set to enhance its capabilities and potentially pave the way for future space endeavors.
TroibNews 
In 2024, China has achieved notable advancements in its space endeavors, particularly in its aspiration to land astronauts on the moon by 2030.
The country's latest lunar probe, Chang'e-6, was successfully launched on May 3 with the goal of retrieving 2 kilograms of samples from the far side of the moon, a feat never accomplished by humans before. A significant milestone occurred on June 25 when the sample returner of the Chang'e-6 landed in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of northern China.
Weighing in at 1,935.3 grams, the samples have enabled scientists to reveal further mysteries of the moon. A recent study, published in Nature on December 19, indicates that the moon's magnetic field experienced a surprising resurgence in strength 2.8 billion years ago, following a notable decline around 3.1 billion years ago.
This finding challenges the existing theory that the lunar dynamo remained in a low-energy state after its prior weakening.
In addition to its moon landing ambitions by 2030, China plans to establish an international lunar research station (ILRS) with a network connecting the moon's south pole, equator, and far side.
The ILRS will consist of a scientific experimental facility built in two phases: an initial basic model aimed for completion by 2035 in the lunar south pole region, followed by an extended model expected to be completed around 2050.
Significant strides in the manned space program
Alongside its lunar pursuits, China has also made impressive progress in its manned space program, completing four successful missions in 2024.
On January 17, the Tianzhou-7 cargo spacecraft launched from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan, delivering approximately 5.6 tonnes of supplies, including essentials and experimental devices, to the China Space Station for the then-in-orbit Shenzhou-17 crew and the upcoming Shenzhou-18 crew.
Approximately three months later, the Shenzhou-18 manned mission was launched on April 25. The crew conducted two spacewalks, during one of which they set a new record for the longest single spacewalk by Chinese astronauts at 8.5 hours. After around six months on the space station, the Shenzhou-18 crew successfully returned to Earth.
On October 30, the Shenzhou-19 manned spacecraft took off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, carrying the country's youngest crew, including two astronauts born in 1990, to the space station.
This crew achieved a record-breaking nine-hour spacewalk on December 17 and is currently orbiting, with plans to return to Earth following their six-month stay.
The final mission of China's manned space program this year was marked by the launch of the Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft on November 15, which delivered supplies for the Shenzhou-19 and upcoming Shenzhou-20 crews, including daily essentials, scientific materials, consumables for environmental control, and personalized gifts for the astronauts.
Looking ahead, China is set to conduct three missions in 2025 for its manned space program, including the Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21 manned missions, as well as the launch of the Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
The country's latest lunar probe, Chang'e-6, was successfully launched on May 3 with the goal of retrieving 2 kilograms of samples from the far side of the moon, a feat never accomplished by humans before. A significant milestone occurred on June 25 when the sample returner of the Chang'e-6 landed in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of northern China.
Weighing in at 1,935.3 grams, the samples have enabled scientists to reveal further mysteries of the moon. A recent study, published in Nature on December 19, indicates that the moon's magnetic field experienced a surprising resurgence in strength 2.8 billion years ago, following a notable decline around 3.1 billion years ago.
This finding challenges the existing theory that the lunar dynamo remained in a low-energy state after its prior weakening.
In addition to its moon landing ambitions by 2030, China plans to establish an international lunar research station (ILRS) with a network connecting the moon's south pole, equator, and far side.
The ILRS will consist of a scientific experimental facility built in two phases: an initial basic model aimed for completion by 2035 in the lunar south pole region, followed by an extended model expected to be completed around 2050.
Significant strides in the manned space program
Alongside its lunar pursuits, China has also made impressive progress in its manned space program, completing four successful missions in 2024.
On January 17, the Tianzhou-7 cargo spacecraft launched from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan, delivering approximately 5.6 tonnes of supplies, including essentials and experimental devices, to the China Space Station for the then-in-orbit Shenzhou-17 crew and the upcoming Shenzhou-18 crew.
Approximately three months later, the Shenzhou-18 manned mission was launched on April 25. The crew conducted two spacewalks, during one of which they set a new record for the longest single spacewalk by Chinese astronauts at 8.5 hours. After around six months on the space station, the Shenzhou-18 crew successfully returned to Earth.
On October 30, the Shenzhou-19 manned spacecraft took off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, carrying the country's youngest crew, including two astronauts born in 1990, to the space station.
This crew achieved a record-breaking nine-hour spacewalk on December 17 and is currently orbiting, with plans to return to Earth following their six-month stay.
The final mission of China's manned space program this year was marked by the launch of the Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft on November 15, which delivered supplies for the Shenzhou-19 and upcoming Shenzhou-20 crews, including daily essentials, scientific materials, consumables for environmental control, and personalized gifts for the astronauts.
Looking ahead, China is set to conduct three missions in 2025 for its manned space program, including the Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21 manned missions, as well as the launch of the Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
