China's manned Lunar rover reaches initial development phase

Written by Copernical Team Sunday, 17 November 2024 03:48

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Sydney, Australia (SPX) Nov 16, 2024

The China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) announced that its prototype lunar rover, developed for upcoming manned lunar missions, has advanced to the initial phase of development. The rover, designed with a modular, foldable structure, is capable of carrying two astronauts for surface operations. A released concept image depicts the vehicle as an open-top off-road model, inspired by the

China's manned Lunar rover reaches initial development phase
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Nov 16, 2024

The China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) announced that its prototype lunar rover, developed for upcoming manned lunar missions, has advanced to the initial phase of development.

The rover, designed with a modular, foldable structure, is capable of carrying two astronauts for surface operations. A released concept image depicts the vehicle as an open-top off-road model, inspired by the design of ancient Chinese chariots.

CAST credited contributions from auto manufacturer GAC Group, Tsinghua University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Harbin Institute of Technology, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University in shaping the design of the rover.

Simultaneously, the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) is conducting a parallel development program for its version of the lunar rover.

The rover's design focuses on efficient movement over the moon's rugged terrain, accurate navigation and positioning, safety support features, and consistent real-time communication with mission control on Earth. It is intended to collaborate with other lunar infrastructure to support integrated human-machine exploration.

China's mission to put astronauts on the moon by 2030 continues to progress. Prototype production and ground tests for the Long March-10 carrier rocket, the Mengzhou manned spacecraft, the Lanyue lunar lander, and the spacesuits for the mission are currently underway. CAST is responsible for the development of both Mengzhou and Lanyue.

The China Manned Space Agency has also announced that a team of 10 astronauts will undergo training in preparation for lunar missions, focusing on skills necessary for operating spacecraft and driving lunar rovers.