China and the Moon

[Vicus]

China launches human research program to support long-duration space missions- March 31, 2026



China is preparing to launch a major human research program focused on the long-term health and survival of astronauts, as the country advances its ambitions for orbital operations and future lunar exploration, reports Xinhua News Agency, a BRICS TV partner.

The initiative will begin accepting research proposals on April 1. The program aims to develop a comprehensive "human space atlas" and establish a dedicated research database, generating findings that could improve astronaut well-being during long-duration missions while also contributing to public health on Earth.

The research will focus on how microgravity affects bones and muscles, as well as the broader physiological impacts of prolonged space travel. Scientists will examine changes in cardiovascular function, metabolism, cognitive performance, and aging, including the effects experienced after returning to Earth. The studies will involve human samples, cells, and organoid models.

The new initiative comes as China accelerates preparations for a crewed moon landing by 2030 and increases the frequency of long-duration missions. According to the source, these advances are contributing to new approaches in the study of cardiovascular health, neurodegenerative diseases, aging, and pharmaceutical testing.

https://tvbrics.com/en/news/china-la...pace-missions/

[Vicus]

Chinese scientists identify lunar soil as natural ultra-insulating material-
01.04.26

Breakthrough measurements reveal Moon particles rival advanced synthetic insulation, offering new insights for space exploration

China’s scientists have achieved a breakthrough in space materials research by precisely measuring the thermal conductivity of a single lunar soil particle, revealing it to be one of the most effective natural insulating materials ever identified, repots Global Times, a partner of TV BRICS.

The study, conducted by a joint team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tsinghua University and the Technology and Engineering Centre for Space Utilisation, analysed samples collected during the Chang'e-5 mission.

Researchers found that specific components of lunar soil, known as agglutinates, exhibit exceptionally low thermal conductivity in vacuum conditions, comparable to high-performance synthetic aerogels. This represents the lowest thermal conductivity ever recorded for a naturally occurring material.

Experts reported that the findings provide new insight into the Moon’s extreme thermal environment. Lunar soil consists of various particle types, including agglutinates, rock fragments and glass beads, each with distinct physical properties. Among them, agglutinates stand out due to their complex internal structure.

Formed through space weathering processes, these particles contain intricate networks of pores ranging from nanometre to micrometre scale, along with diverse mineral interfaces. This structure effectively suppresses heat transfer at multiple scales, resulting in remarkable insulating performance.

Using a combination of advanced structural analysis and simulation techniques, the team demonstrated how these features limit phonon transport within the material, explaining its ultra-low thermal conductivity.

The research establishes a new experimental and theoretical framework for studying heat transfer under lunar conditions and provides valuable data for modelling the Moon’s thermal environment.

Scientists say the discovery could have practical applications in the design of spacecraft, landers and on-site lunar infrastructure, particularly in managing temperature extremes. It may also inspire the development of next-generation insulation materials on Earth, based on naturally occurring structures found in lunar soil.

Text copied from https://tvbrics.com/en/news/chinese-...ting-material/

[Ravenlocke]

Li Zexin 李泽欣

Chinese astronauts are planting vegetables in China's space station.

https://x.com/XH_Lee23/status/2040998672897556969

[Vicus]

Moon Exploration



One of the central themes of the BRICS space agenda remains the exploration of the Moon. Russia plans not only to continue but also to expand its lunar programme, notes Oleg Alekseenko. The Luna-27 project provides for launch of two heavy landing stations: one to the southern pole and the other to the northern pole. The launch of the first mission is scheduled for 2029 and will represent an important stage in the creation of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). The station is expected to include modules on the lunar surface, with construction planned for 2031–2035. The joint Russia–China project is open to participation by other countries: as of April 2025, 17 states and international organisations, as well as more than 50 research institutes, had joined.

Deputy Head of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), Bian Zhigang, noted that joint lunar research is transitioning from short-term missions to the construction of long-term facilities, and from individual launches to international cooperation.

Russia is a technological leader in human spaceflight, nuclear power systems and fundamental science. The country has a ten-year plan for the development of its space sector and is conducting experiments with plasma rocket engines for deep space missions. Russia proposes that partner countries join efforts in costly interplanetary missions, including those to Mars and Venus. It also possesses unique scientific schools and technologies for landing on Venus that have not yet been replicated elsewhere in the world. These achievements could serve as a foundation for BRICS programmes.

continue:

https://tvbrics.com/en/news/space-in...-global-scale/

[Vicus]

China advances in-orbit manufacturing with successful space metal 3D printing test

The breakthrough paves the way for producing components directly in space, supporting future missions and infrastructure



China has successfully completed a demonstration of metal 3D printing technology in orbit. The achievement was announced by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, highlighting progress in the development of advanced technologies for space applications, reports CGTN, a partner of TV BRICS.

The demonstration took place aboard the spacecraft, where scientists tested in-orbit metal additive manufacturing under real space conditions.

Researchers noted that space-based metal 3D printing presents distinct technical challenges compared to terrestrial processes. These include managing metal droplet behaviour in microgravity, maintaining liquid bridge stability, and controlling molten material dynamics, alongside engineering requirements such as payload optimisation, autonomous operation, and safe performance in orbit.

During the test, the onboard system operated autonomously while receiving commands from Earth. Using a laser wire-feed method, the equipment achieved stable metal melt deposition and successfully demonstrated repeated remote-controlled start-stop operations. The experiment also verified key functions such as data transmission, system compatibility, and automated workflow execution.

The new technology is expected to transform space missions by enabling on-demand manufacturing of components directly in orbit, according to the source. This approach could support maintenance of space infrastructure, production of spare parts, and future deep-space exploration. The research team plans to expand testing under more complex conditions, aiming to accelerate the transition from experimental validation to practical application.

Text copied from https://tvbrics.com/en/news/china-ad...printing-test/

[Ravenlocke]

Phazzee 🐼🚀 | 中国航天 🇨🇳 | 🇵🇸🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

May 13
Operator of the Qianfan connectivity constellation, Shanghai Spacesail Technologies, has invested in a new Shanghai-based sea launch firm to pursue greater space access for deploying satellites with improved frequency

Details -> https://china-in-space.com/p/qianfan...-in-sea-launch

https://x.com/PhazzeeYeehaw/status/2054584157024436337

[Ravenlocke]

Ace of Razgriz

May 12
The patch of Shenzhou-23 has an element of the Bauhinia. Which usually represents the Hongkong S.A.R. May hint one of the crew of SZ-23 is from Hong Kong.

https://x.com/raz_liu/status/2054400385679503629

StarBoySAR 🇭🇰 🇨🇳 🥭

May 13
🇨🇳🇭🇰 China’s manned space program keeps surging ahead in 2026 — and Hong Kong is right there on the front line of national rejuvenation and scientific progress ✌️

- The new Shenzhou‑23 mission patch proudly incorporates the Bauhinia, the Hong Kong orchid, alongside the Long March‑2F rocket, golden auspicious clouds and traditional Ruyi patterns — a visual reminder that “one country” also means Hong Kong sharing in the glory of China’s space achievements

- Shenzhou‑23 will be one of the core manned missions in the first half of 2026, sending three Chinese astronauts to the Tiangong Space Station as the country accelerates its permanent presence in orbit

- Reports indicate that Hong Kong police superintendent Lai Ka‑ying has been selected as the Hong Kong payload specialist, symbolising the SAR’s deeper integration into the national space programme

Hong Kong’s keeps making contributions to the motherland and science:

- Hong Kong has delivered its first ever scientific payload to the Tiangong Space Station: a greenhouse‑gas monitoring instrument jointly developed by HKUST and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, launched aboard the Tianzhou‑10 cargo ship

- The MUSICO (Multi‑Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory) payload, weighing under 80 kg, measures carbon dioxide and methane from orbit by analysing subtle changes in the solar spectrum — giving China its own high‑precision, space‑based tools to monitor emissions from power plants, landfills and other major sources.

- This is a prime example of Hong Kong’s role as a bridge between cutting‑edge research and the country’s strategic needs: advanced remote‑sensing tech serving national carbon goals, environmental governance and global climate science on China’s terms, not Washington’s

From symbolism in the mission logo to real hardware operating on Tiangong, Hong Kong is steadily embedding itself in the fabric of China’s space story — contributing talent, technology and scientific payloads to the rise of a spacefaring civilisation

https://x.com/StarboySAR/status/2054560504623014183

[Ravenlocke]

Chinese Space Station

May 12
🚀From Tianzhou 1 to Tianzhou 10, China's space exploration continues to reach new heights!

In ten missions over nine years, the Tianzhou cargo spaceships carried daily necessities, experimental supplies and humanity's hopes and dreams across the vastness of space, making faster, more precise and more capable deliveries in support of the
@CNSpaceStation

https://x.com/CNSpaceStation/status/2054116870404632663

Chinese Space Station

May 13
China launched on Monday the #Tianzhou 10 cargo spacecraft to deliver scientific equipment and experimental supplies, including artificial human embryos, ultrathin solar cells and a greenhouse gas monitor, to its orbiting
@CNSpaceStation
.

🤩Take a look at the mission's highlights! [🎥/CMS]

https://x.com/CNSpaceStation/status/2054547207614038212

[Ravenlocke]

NewRulesGeopolitics

🚨🇨🇳 NASA'S LUNAR NIGHTMARE: CHINA UNVEILS AI HUMANOID MOON PORTER

China is sending a revolutionary 4-wheeled, dual-arm AI rover to act as an intelligent porter for the 2029 Chang’e-8 mission – ready to deploy and install gear from global partners right on the lunar south pole.

🔸 100KG AI POWERHOUSE will transport, install scientific instruments and collect surface samples while the West’s Artemis timeline slips further

🔸 “EXTRAORDINARY” 4-WHEEL MOBILITY climbs obstacles higher than twice the wheel radius – outclassing standard 6-wheel rovers

🔸 AI ARMS MASTER NON-COOPERATIVE TARGETS from international payloads including Russia, Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, Italy and more

🔸 Survives 24+ 330-HOUR LUNAR NIGHTS at -180°C with advanced thermal fluid systems for a full 2-year mission

🔸 Direct stepping stone to the SINO-RUSSIAN INTERNATIONAL LUNAR RESEARCH STATION – Beijing’s counter-vision to NASA-led efforts

How long will it take the U.S. to catch up with China?

https://x.com/NewRulesGeo/status/2054948601202454843

[Ravenlocke]

China Science

May 13
Chinese scientists on Monday sent China’s first experimental fiber sample made of lunar soil to the country's space station via the cargo craft Tianzhou-10 for long-term space environment exposure tests under conditions including high vacuum, intense radiation, and extreme temperature fluctuations, expecting to support future lunar research station construction and studies on the potential applications of lunar-soil-derived fibers.

The team designed the world’s first spinning device capable of simulating the lunar environment, using it to produce continuous fiber samples about three meters long and over 10 micrometers in diameter—roughly the thickness of a human hair—from just 0.5 grams of lunar basalt brought back by the Chang’e-5 mission.

https://x.com/ChinaScience/status/2054456608990867868

[Ravenlocke]

QSI Media - News, Analytics, World.

May 12
🇨🇳 China unveils 220-pound robot ‘construction worker’ to use human tools on moon

China has announced that its planned Chang’e-8 mission will feature a new robotic “Moon mechanic.” This robot, the team behind it explains, will act like a construction worker to help assemble and lug equipment around once deployed.

Developed by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), the robot weighs around 220 pounds (100kg) and has 4 wheels to move across the rough Lunar surface. Unlike previous moon rover-type robots, this new one comes with a pair of robotic arms for handling and manipulating tools.

#BRICS

@MediaQSI

https://x.com/MediaQSI/status/2054347892970647760

[Ravenlocke]

Nobodoy News

May 13
China will send a 100kg solar-powered AI robot to the moon to install scientific gear before astronauts arrive. Officially framed as "Advanced Humanoid." In reality, it’s a torso bolted to a four-wheel cart doing extraterrestrial manual labor. #SpaceRace #Robotics #LunarMission

https://x.com/NoboDoyNews/status/2054501723977494633

[Ravenlocke]

Li Zexin 李泽欣

Apr 21, 2024
Zoom in to see the details! I upload the high-resolution version of the world’s first complete high-definition lunar atlas 🌖

China published this set of geologic photos today. A great achievement in the global exploration of the moon.

https://x.com/XH_Lee23/status/1781953080265003471

[Ravenlocke]

China Science

May 8
A Chinese research team has uncovered new insights into the history of asteroid impacts on the Earth-moon system by analyzing lunar soil samples returned by China's Chang'e-6 mission. The team identified 40 impact-related fragments containing metallic particles and found that the dominant impactors shifted from mainly non-carbonaceous asteroids to a higher fraction of carbonaceous asteroids between 4.3 billion and 2.8 billion years ago—later than previously thought.

The study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets sheds light on the orbital dynamics of the early Solar System, and the late bombardment of carbonaceous asteroids has important implications for the delivery of water to the early Earth.

https://x.com/ChinaScience/status/2052946663871017056

Voice of the People

May 11
Using #lunar samples collected by the #Change6 mission, Chinese scientists have discovered a significant shift in the types of asteroids bombarding the Earth-moon system between 4.3 billion and 2.8 billion years ago, transitioning from the dominance of non-carbonaceous ones to the arrival of carbonaceous ones.
Read full: https://en.people.cn/n3/2026/0512/c90000-20455212.html

https://x.com/VoiceofPD/status/2054025882965258591

[Ravenlocke]

Li Zexin 李泽欣

Aug 3, 2025
🙇🏻‍♂️2003: Chinese astronaut can’t even stretch out the legs.

🕺2025: Chinese astronauts have a big house in space.

Now, China is aiming for the Moon.

https://x.com/XH_Lee23/status/1952220869557629296

Li Zexin 李泽欣

Jun 17, 2025
China is another step towards landing astronauts on the moon! 🇨🇳🚀🌗 The zero-altitude escape flight test of China’s new-gen manned spacecraft Mengzhou has just been successfully conducted.

Last such test was 27 years ago in 1998, when China was preparing to send astronauts into space.

China has targeted sending Chinese astronauts to the lunar surface by 2030.

https://x.com/XH_Lee23/status/1934892663641395652

[Ravenlocke]

Explore Space GV

May 13
The last time anyone brought lunar rocks to earth before China was 1976 the Soviet Luna 24 mission.

44 years later, Chang'e 5 returned samples from a completely different, younger part of the Moon.

Scientists just found 2 minerals inside them that have never existed in any earth geology textbook.

https://x.com/explorespacegv/status/2054554525801791603

[Ravenlocke]

Placing the following here but if it belongs elsewhere Mods please move it and Thank you.

China pulse 🇨🇳

Shanghai has opened a science‑themed park inspired by futuristic sci‑fi worlds, featuring space, aviation, and AI technologies — with interactive experiences that simulate traveling to the Moon and piloting next‑generation fighter craft. The park is set to open to the public on August 1.

https://x.com/Eng_china5/status/2054651570248356342