Lanyue
The Lanyue (Chinese: 揽月; pinyin: lǎn yuè; lit. 'embracing the moon') lander, formerly known as the China crewed lunar surface lander (中国载人月面着陆器) or simply as the lunar surface lander (月面着陆器), is a spacecraft under development by the China Academy of Space Technology. The purpose of the lander is to carry two astronauts to the lunar surface and to return them to lunar orbit after a set period of time. The lander's initial lunar-landing attempt is envisioned to occur by 2029.
Model of planned Lanyue lunar lander (attached to its propulsion stage) in 2023 | |
| Manufacturer | CAST |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | China |
| Operator | CMSA |
| Applications | Crewed lunar landing as part of Chinese Lunar Exploration Program |
| Specifications | |
| Spacecraft type | Crewed |
| Launch mass | about 26,000 kg (57,000 lb) (with propulsion stage) |
| Crew capacity | 2 |
| Power | Solar |
| Equipment | crewed lunar rover |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit, lunar transfer orbit, lunar orbit, lunar surface |
| Production | |
| Status | Under development |
The official names for both the crewed lunar lander and the next-generation crewed spacecraft, the Mengzhou (梦舟), were revealed by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on 24 February 2024. One possible English translation for Lanyue is Embracing the Moon while the English translation for Mengzhou can be Vessel of Dreams or Dream Vessel.