China's Lunar Program: From "Reaching for the Moon" to "The First Chinese on the Moon"?

China's Lunar Program: From "Reaching for the Moon" to "The First Chinese on the Moon"?Following the successful ground test of the Long March 10, a large-scale, system-level rocket, on June 14th, Chinas lunar program has entered a fast lane. The once distant dream of "reaching for the moon," previously hindered by insufficient rocket thrust, now seems within grasp

China's Lunar Program: From "Reaching for the Moon" to "The First Chinese on the Moon"?

Following the successful ground test of the Long March 10, a large-scale, system-level rocket, on June 14th, Chinas lunar program has entered a fast lane. The once distant dream of "reaching for the moon," previously hindered by insufficient rocket thrust, now seems within grasp. However, the United States, having achieved a lunar landing over 50 years ago and possessing powerful launch vehicles like SLS and Starship, is struggling to return to the moon, despite their ambition. This begs the question: What are the differences between China and the US in their lunar programs?

I. Stability vs. Challenges: The Steady Progression of China's Lunar Program vs. the Repeated Setbacks of the US Lunar Program

Chinas lunar program focuses on developing high-thrust rockets, with Long March 10 being its core. The success of Long March 10 marks a significant step towards realizing the dream of a Chinese person landing on the moon. Conversely, the US program, despite boasting powerful engines in Starship and SLS, has faced numerous challenges and setbacks during development.

Starship, utilizing stainless steel and reusable technology to reduce costs, has faced persistent safety concerns. Out of four test flights, three resulted in failures, while the sole successful flight only achieved launch, return, and sea landing, leaving a significant gap before manned missions.

SLS has also encountered a troubled journey. Originally scheduled for launch in 2017, the Artemis I mission, due to design revisions and the pandemic, faced numerous delays and finally launched in November 2022. The launch itself was fraught with challenges, including lightning strikes, weather conditions, and hydrogen leaks, before successfully completing an unmanned lunar flyby.

II. Catching Up and Surpassing: China's Steady Lunar Program vs. the Stagnation of the US Lunar Program

While the US achieved a lunar landing through the Apollo program, they are currently unable to replicate that success. The Saturn V, a marvel of engineering, remains unmatched, while the development of SLS has been lackluster. Starship, despite its ambitious goals, has yet to achieve a successful flight.

In contrast, Chinas lunar program has demonstrated a strong momentum in its pursuit. The Chang'e 5 mission successfully retrieved lunar samples and returned them to Earth, while the Chang'e 6 mission achieved the unprecedented feat of retrieving lunar regolith from the Moons far side, showcasing Chinas prowess in lunar exploration.

III. Goals and Strategies: China's Pragmatic Approach vs. the Strategic Shift of the US Lunar Program

Chinas lunar program has adopted a pragmatic approach, steadily progressing and achieving significant milestones. The US, on the other hand, has set its sights on more ambitious goals, aiming to establish a city on Mars. However, the progress of Starship raises concerns.

In the face of competition between the US and China in lunar programs, China need not rush to secure the first landing. Instead, by focusing on its own goals, it can achieve the monumental feat of sending a Chinese astronaut to the moon. Whether the US can return to the moon or even achieve a preemptive landing on the moon is not a concern for China.

Conclusion:

The success of China's lunar program has been fueled by the collective efforts of the entire nation. We are confident in realizing the dream of seeing a Chinese astronaut walk on the moon. Let us collectively cheer on the Chinese space program and anticipate further achievements in lunar exploration.

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