China Sets Sights On Moon: Reusable Rockets Planned For 2025 & 2026

China's space ambitions are taking flight with the announcement of plans to launch two reusable rockets in 2025 and 2026. This ambitious project paves the way for future crewed missions to the Moon, marking a significant step forward in China's lunar exploration program.

The announcement comes from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the main contractor behind China's space endeavors. Details remain scarce, but reports suggest the rockets will be large, with diameters of four and five meters respectively. Their reusability is a key factor, potentially reducing launch costs and increasing mission frequency.

"These reusable rockets are a critical step in achieving our goal of sending astronauts back to the Moon," said Wang Wei, a deputy to the National People's Congress, according to China News Service.

While specifics about the rockets haven't been officially revealed, speculation centers around the Long March series, a workhorse of the Chinese space program. The Long March 10, a new 5-meter diameter crew launch vehicle, is a potential candidate. A three-core variant of this rocket could be used to launch a lunar lander and crew capsule into trans-lunar orbit, eventually docking for the lunar descent.

This development comes amidst a global race to return humans to the Moon. NASA's Artemis program aims to land astronauts near the Moon's south pole by late 2025 or 2026. While the US and China haven't officially collaborated on major space projects, their lunar ambitions are fueling a renewed era of space exploration.

The success of these reusable rockets will be crucial for China's human lunar landing ambitions. A successful launch and return paves the way for further testing and refinement, ultimately leading to the next giant leap for China – putting taikonauts back on the lunar surface.