China Confirms 2030 Moon Landing Mission on Track as New Astronauts Head to Tiangong Space Station

China announced Thursday it remains firmly committed to its 2030 timeline for landing astronauts on the moon, while introducing the next crew headed to the Tiangong space station as part of the nation's expanding space program.

"Currently, each program of the research and development work of putting a person on the moon is progressing smoothly," stated Zhang Jingbo, spokesperson for the China Manned Space Program. He highlighted significant advancements in the Long March 10 rocket, moon landing suits, and lunar exploration vehicles as evidence of their progress.

The country is simultaneously preparing for its latest crew rotation to the Tiangong space station, where astronauts conduct six-month research missions. The upcoming team consists of Zhang Lu, an experienced astronaut from the previous Shenzhou 15 mission, alongside first-time space travelers Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang.

This crew is scheduled to launch from the Jiuquan launch center at 11:44 pm local time on Friday. Their scientific payload includes four mice—two male and two female—intended for studies on the effects of weightlessness and confined environments.

China developed the Tiangong or "Heavenly Palace" space station after being excluded from the International Space Station due to American national security concerns regarding the Chinese space program's connections to the People's Liberation Army.

The lunar mission represents a major milestone in China's ambitions to establish itself as a leading power in space exploration, with the moon landing initiative forming a central component of the country's long-term space strategy.