China will adopt a "two launches, lunar orbit rendezvous" architecture for its manned lunar exploration program, senior engineer Wang Xiang on Saturday announced at the 7th Manned Space Symposium in Beijing.
Under the scheme, separate rockets will launch the Mengzhou crewed spaceship and Lanyue lunar lander into Earth-moon transfer orbit. The spacecraft will dock in lunar orbit, allowing astronauts to transfer to Lanyue for surface descent and scientific work.
Wang, deputy chief designer of China's manned space program, said the approach aligns with existing capabilities, standardizes production, and supports a long-term vehicle family. Nationwide resource mobilization, unified standards, and integrated subsystem verification are addressing development challenges.
Development of the Long March-10 rocket, Mengzhou spaceship, and Lanyue lander is progressing smoothly. Key completed tests include Mengzhou's zero-height abort and escape tests, Lanyue's landing-takeoff test, and Long March-10's low-altitude validation.
Wang emphasized building knowledge before resource utilization through step-by-step surveys, noting shared technology, personnel, and Chang'e program achievements will support the manned landing effort.
