China just took a giant leap closer to landing astronauts on the moon! 🌍 The Long March-10 rocket, designed to carry crews to lunar soil, aced its first major static fire test on Friday, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s ambitious space program. With a jaw-dropping thrust of 1,000 tonnes – the largest ever in China’s history – this test brings the dream of moon boots by 2030 into clearer focus.
Why This Test Matters
Seven engines roared to life simultaneously at Hainan’s Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site, simulating real launch conditions. The success validates the rocket’s ability to handle extreme scenarios, a critical step for safely sending humans beyond Earth. 🛰️
Meet the Rockets
The Long March-10 series includes two models: a three-stage moon rocket (92.5 meters tall!) for crewed missions and a reusable two-stage variant (Long March-10A) for space station logistics. Both will work with the new Mengzhou spacecraft to upgrade China’s space travel tech. 🚀
What’s Next?
With new infrastructure being built at Wenchang and more tests planned, China’s space agency is gearing up for lunar adventures. As chief commander Xu Hongping noted, these rockets are key to achieving 'high safety, reliability, and thrust' for moon landings. 🌌
Could we see Chinese astronauts planting flags on the moon this decade? The countdown has officially begun. ⏳
