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China Takes Another Step in Lunar Race with Ground Firing of Long March-10, Its Most Powerful Rocket. The Test in Hainan Synchronized Seven Engines for 30 Seconds and Recorded Nearly One Thousand Tons of Thrust, Preparing Manned Missions.
The China has made a decisive step in its space program by completing a critical test with the Long March-10 rocket. The trial brought the country closer to its goal of sending astronauts to the Moon by 2030.
The first-stage firing took place at the spaceport on Hainan Island and produced results considered historic for Chinese aerospace engineering.
Test in Hainan Confirms Unprecedented Power
The first stage of the Long March-10 was fired on the ground for 30 seconds. It is equipped with seven YF-100K engines, which together generated about 900 tons of thrust.
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The most important aspect was the confirmation that the engines operated in synchronization, an essential factor for maintaining stability during flight.
According to the China Manned Space Agency, the test showed that the engines can operate under both normal and high-power conditions.
The operation provided a robust set of data that will allow adjustments in the next versions of the rocket. Additionally, engineers were able to validate fault detection systems, heat-resistant coatings, and the reliability of the multi-engine assembly.
Milestone in the Long March-10 Program
The Long March-10 represents a significant advancement compared to the Long March-5, which is the most powerful to date. It has approximately three times more thrust, reaching 990 tons.
When assembled in its full version, the rocket will stand 92 meters tall and have 21 engines operating simultaneously—seven in the core and seven in each of the two boosters.
The development of the vehicle began in 2017 and is supported by decades of research with liquid-fueled engines. In June of last year, the team had already tested three YF-100K engines together for several minutes, but the recent firing solidified the biggest advancement to date.
Guo Wei, chief deputy commander of the project, explained that conventional test stands could not withstand such high loads. Therefore, the team used a real launch platform to simulate the nearly one thousand tons of thrust.
Capacity for Lunar Missions
The rocket is capable of sending 27 tons toward the Moon. This volume is approximately equivalent to the mass of a small house and will be essential for China’s lunar ambitions.
The plan calls for two distinct launches. The first, named Mengzhou, will take the crew.
The second, called Lanyue, will carry the landing module. Both will meet and dock in lunar orbit, allowing for the transfer of astronauts to the vehicle that will descend to the surface.
Thus, the Long March-10 is central to enabling the landing of Chinese astronauts by 2030. Without this extra power, it would not be possible to carry out the complex operations planned for the mission.
Lunar Base by 2035
China’s plans do not stop at the first landing. The country, in partnership with Russia and other allies, aims to build a research base at the lunar south pole by 2035. The project has been named the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).
The goal is to create a permanent facility to host long-duration missions and expand the reach of research.
This first large-scale test with the Long March-10 showed that Chinese engineering has successfully overcome the technical challenges of handling extreme loads. It also served as a dress rehearsal for the next steps toward the Moon.
Reusable Version Under Development
At the same time, China is developing a variant called Long March-10A, aimed at missions in low Earth orbit. This version will focus on reusability, similar to the concept of the Falcon 9 from SpaceX. However, it will not be used for lunar missions.
The project seeks to enhance efficiency in transporting cargo and crews to the Chinese space station.
Additionally, engineers are leveraging the tests to improve thermal protection systems and enhance safety.
The reliability of the multi-engine assembly has become a priority, as failures at this stage could jeopardize the entire lunar program.
Towards 2030
The firing in Hainan was considered a success and a strategic milestone. The test proved that the country can handle the raw power needed to reach the Moon.
Now, China is closer to putting astronauts on lunar soil by the end of the decade and, subsequently, advancing toward building a permanent base.
The conclusion of this trial reinforces that the goal set in 2017 is beginning to materialize.
The Long March-10 rocket, with its unprecedented performance, is already a leading figure in the next chapter of Chinese space exploration.
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