If you’ve been following this blog, then you know that I have an interest in the sciences in China. I came across a new discovery and had to share it with you all. The following information comes out of Space.com.

China is developing a spacecraft that will allow astronauts to travel to the moon and beyond. The country plans on constructing a space station that should be up and running by early 2020. In the meantime, the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), a state-owned spacecraft and satellite manufacturer, gave a glimpse at the next-generation spacecraft that will be able to deep-space travel. Unnamed, this two-module spacecraft will be capable of transporting four to five astronauts.

China currently uses the Shenzhou spacecraft, which can carry three astronauts to low Earth orbit (LEO). But it’s not designed for the radiation in deep space travel or the high-velocity when reentering the Earth’s atmosphere. The new spacecraft, however, is 30 feet (9 meters) long and has a maximum mass liftoff of 22 tons (20 metric tons). And it’s capable of venturing beyond LEO.

The new spacecraft is expected to make a test flight in the first half of 2020, and officials state that the country is looking to carry out missions to the moon in the 2030s. For additional information, you can check out the full article by clicking here. Feel free to comment below, if you’d like to discuss.

Until Next Time…