The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) has successfully tested a critical component of the Long March 10 rocket, which is essential for China's manned lunar exploration mission.

This progress was highlighted by the successful testing of fairing separation for the Long March 10 moon rocket series, as reported by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) on November 20, 2024.

The fairing tested measures 5 meters in diameter and is designed to protect spacecraft during ascent, with the test demonstrating its effective separation to reveal a structural test article.

The evaluation of the fairing's design, structural integrity, separation mechanisms, and capacity confirmed its reliability for future missions.

This newly developed payload fairing is part of a rocket that features a non-conical shape, accommodating a new generation crew spacecraft equipped with an escape tower and exposed return module.

The Long March 10 rocket series includes a central booster and multiple side boosters, capable of transporting spacecraft weighing at least 27 tons to the Earth-moon transfer trajectory.

The lunar variant of the Long March 10 will be 92 meters long and is designed to launch 27 tons into trans-lunar orbit, while the Long March 10A can lift 14,200 kilograms to low Earth orbit.

Powered by YF-100K engines, this new generation of propulsion technology is vital for the lunar program.

China plans to conduct two Long March 10 launches from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province to support its manned lunar mission strategy.

These launches will deliver a landing module and a manned spacecraft into lunar orbit, enabling astronauts to transfer to the landing module for descent to the lunar surface.

China aims to land a pair of astronauts on the lunar surface by 2030, significantly advancing its space exploration goals.

The first launch of the Long March 10 is targeted for 2026, with the capability to carry 4-7 astronauts to the Tiangong space station in low Earth orbit.