China's Moon plans: Beijing moving fast, preps to set up lunar training ground

China's next generation of astronauts is training for the Moon. Here's how caves, spacesuits, spacecraft and lunar landers fit into the plan.An artist’s concept of an astronaut stepping onto the lunar surface in China’s planned mission. (Representative Photo: Gen AI/India Today)China is moving into a new phase of its human spaceflight programme as it prepares for one of its most ambitious goals of sending astronauts to the Moon by 2030.The country is setting up a lunar analog training ground in Xinjiang to help prepare a new generation of astronauts that will embark on a journey to the Moon by 2030.The transition is also happening inside the astronaut corps.Yang Liwei, China's first person in space, has confirmed that the country's first generation of astronauts will be taken off active flight duties in October 2025. The spacesuits designed for the Chinese lunar mission is revealed on stage. (Photo: X/@ChinaScience) Yang, who flew aboard Shenzhou-5 in 2003 and now serves as a deputy chief designer of China's crewed space programme, said the veteran astronauts remain ready to return if required.Younger astronauts, however, are now taking the lead in preparing for future missions.TRAINING FOR THE MOON In preparation for the ambitious lunar landing, China is leaving no stone unturned.Preparing to walk on the Moon involves much more than learning to operate a spacecraft. Astronauts must also be able to work in unfamiliar, isolated and physically demanding environments for extended periods.China recently added an unusual tool to that training; caves.In late 2025, 28 astronauts completed China's first dedicated astronaut cave training in Chongqing's Wulong district.China is preparing for the Moon... underground. 28 astronauts have just completed the country's first cave training mission in Chongqing. Divided into 4 groups, they spent 6 days/5 nights living in a cave in Wulong to complete tasks of cliff rappelling, mapping, isolation https://t.co/M6dtJV0NOT pic.twitter.com/NzLo8StDT2— CNSPACE (@CNSpaceflight) January 5, 2026Divided into four groups, they spent six days and five nights inside a natural cave, where conditions included darkness, high humidity and restricted movement.The training involved cave exploration and mapping, scientific work, managing supplies, simulated communication with the outside world and psychological and teamwork exercises.Astronauts also had to move through narrow passages, climb and rappel and cope with prolonged cold and damp conditions.The idea was not to recreate the Moon itself, but to train astronauts to function when they are isolated, resources are limited and unexpected problems arise. China's rocket is seen on the launch pad prior to the Chang'e-6 launch. (Photo: CNSA) WHAT WILL CHINA'S MOON MISSION DO?China's lunar landing plan is built around two major launches of the Long March-10 rocket.One will carry the Mengzhou crew spacecraft and the other, the Lanyue lunar lander, into lunar orbit. The two spacecraft will then rendezvous and dock.Two astronauts are expected to enter Lanyue and descend to the lunar surface.After conducting scientific work and using a lunar rover, they will return to the lander before travelling back to Mengzhou and heading for Earth.The hardware is already being tested.China is developing the Wangyu lunar spacesuit, designed for the Moon's demanding environment, while research is also focusing on keeping astronauts healthy during longer missions.It's becoming increasingly clear that China's Moon landing is not being treated as a single launch, but as a chain of challenges. And the training for each one has begun right here, on Earth.- EndsPublished On: Sep 22, 2026 16:44 IST