Preparing for the 2030 Manned Moon Landing: 'Shenzhou 19' Launches into Space | WPN World People News

China's 'Shenzhou 19' successfully launched at the end of October with a crew of three astronauts who have smoothly docked at the 'Tiangong-1' space station. They will replace the three 'Shenzhou 18' astronauts who have been stationed there for nearly half a year.

According to Chinese media reports, the three Shenzhou 19 astronauts will remain aboard Tiangong-1 for approximately six months, conducting a series of experiments. The China National Space Administration stated that the astronauts will carry out 86 experiments, particularly in fields such as material science, life sciences, microgravity, medicine, and fundamental physics.

The report further noted that the astronauts will test bricks made from components that mimic lunar soil to assess their resistance to extreme conditions like temperature, radiation, and gravity. This research aims to determine whether lunar soil could serve as a suitable material for building habitats. Given the high cost of space transportation, Chinese scientists hope to prioritize lunar soil as a primary material for future lunar station construction, also preparing for China’s manned moon landing planned for 2030.

Ye Peijian, Chief Commander of China's Lunar Exploration Program, mentioned that over a decade ago, when they first landed a space vehicle on the moon, many in the aerospace field suggested a cautious approach, following in the footsteps of previous missions. However, he advocated for a bolder plan, proposing exploration of the moon's far side—something no country had previously attempted. This June, China became the first nation to bring back soil and rock samples from the far side of the moon.