China Reveals New Spacesuit for Moon Landing Mission by 2030

China’s plan to land astronauts on the moon by 2030 just took a big leap forward. 

On 28 September 2024, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) revealed a brand-new spacesuit in Chongqing.

Featuring a bold red-and-white design, this spacesuit has been specifically designed to handle the moon’s harsh environment. 

What makes this spacesuit special?

As we all know, the moon is no easy place to visit! Temperatures can jump from boiling hot to freezing cold in a matter of hours, and the surface is covered in dust that gets everywhere. This new spacesuit is designed to deal with all of that and more. 

It comes with cameras built into the helmet, so astronauts can capture everything they’re doing while exploring. Plus, a glare-resistant visor helps protect their eyes from the intense sunlight bouncing off the moon’s surface.

The suit even has a control panel right on the chest, making it easy for astronauts to handle mission tasks while keeping their hands free. 

Chinese astronauts Wang Yaping and Zhai Zhigang showed off just how flexible the suit is; it lets them bend, climb, and move around comfortably, which is key when working in the moon’s low gravity.

China’s big lunar plans

This spacesuit is just one piece of China’s broader lunar mission. They’re also working on new rockets, a lunar lander, and a rover to explore the surface. The plan is to send robotic missions to the moon’s south pole in 2026 and 2028 to scout out resources and test technology for building a future moon base.

The new space race

It’s not just China aiming for the moon. NASA is working on its Artemis program, which is expected to send astronauts back to the lunar surface by 2026. However, delays in developing the lunar lander have given China an opportunity to push ahead with its own timeline. 

China’s long-term goal is to build an International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) by the 2030s, which could host astronauts for short stays on the moon.