The names of the spacecraft intended to carry Chinese astronauts to the moon by the close of this decade have been disclosed by China’s space agency.

According to a recent announcement from the China Manned Space Agency, progress is on track for the development of the Mengzhou spacecraft, also known as the Dream Vessel, along with the Lanyue lunar lander, or Embracing the Moon, and a powerful carrier rocket named Long March 10.

These components form a crucial part of an ambitious program by Beijing to establish itself as a leading space power.

While the specific date for the manned lunar mission has not been disclosed, China has stated its intention to achieve this milestone by 2030, aiming to become the second nation to successfully land astronauts on the moon.

The Mengzhou spacecraft consists of a reentry module designed to house astronauts and function as the control center, coupled with a service module responsible for power and propulsion systems.

As reported by state media, the vehicle is expected to be nearly 9 meters in length and weigh 22 metric tons, CNN reported.

The Lanyue lunar lander is designed to accommodate two astronauts and a 200-kilogram rover, further contributing to China’s ambitious lunar exploration objectives.

Written by B.C. Begley