China Achieves Milestone in Manned Lunar Exploration with Mengzhou Escape Test

China Achieves Milestone in Manned Lunar Exploration with Mengzhou Escape Test

On June 17, 2025, China successfully executed an escape flight test of its new-generation manned spacecraft, Mengzhou, at zero altitude, marking a significant advancement in the nation's lunar exploration efforts. Conducted at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, this test is particularly noteworthy as it represents the second zero-altitude escape flight test in the country, occurring 27 years after a similar test with the Shenzhou spacecraft in 1998.

At 12:30 p.m., the ignition command was given, resulting in the successful ignition of Mengzhou's escape engines. The spacecraft, propelled by solid rocket motors, rapidly ascended, reaching its target altitude within approximately 20 seconds. This quick ascent demonstrates the efficiency and reliability of the spacecraft's launch escape system.

Following the ascent, the return capsule successfully separated from the escape tower before deploying its parachute system as planned. By 12:32 p.m., the capsule made a soft landing in its designated recovery zone, utilizing an airbag cushioning system to ensure a safe touchdown, which signified the test's complete success.

The Mengzhou system presents an evolution in design compared to its predecessor, Shenzhou, by integrating both escape and survival functionalities into a single spacecraft architecture. According to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), this design innovation enhances the safety protocols of manned missions significantly.

The test effectively evaluated key components of the spacecraft's integrated escape-rescue subsystem. Critical designs were validated, including escape sequence timing, separation mechanisms, and the closed-loop control of escape trajectories. These validations contributed to collecting invaluable real-flight performance data, essential for future missions.

The CMSA emphasized that escape and rescue capabilities are crucial safety measures for manned spaceflight, designed to guide return capsules swiftly away from hazardous situations in the event of a sudden mission failure. This guarantees the safety of astronauts and ensures their successful return to Earth.

Mengzhou, also referred to as the Dream Vessel, is an independently developed manned space transport vehicle. With a modular design, it has the capacity to carry up to seven astronauts and has achieved performance levels comparable to international standards. This spacecraft is expected to play an integral role in upcoming manned missions, supporting the operations and development of China's space station and facilitating lunar exploration.

The successful test on June 17 has laid a critical technical foundation for future manned lunar exploration missions. The CMSA also noted that the development of additional equipment, including the Long March-10 carrier rocket and lunar lander, continues to progress as scheduled, with further tests planned for the future.