Successful Launch Spurs China Toward Crucial First For Moon Landing

China launches crewed space flight as part of Moon ambitions

Shenzhou-23 launched to Tiangong; one crew member will spend a full year in orbit — a programme first — as part of China's plan to land astronauts on the Moon before 2030. The long-stay experiment closes the human-factors gap for lunar operations; next-gen Mengzhou crewed vehicle targets a 2026 orbital test, with a manned lunar base planned by 2035.