The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) has introduced a newly developed lightweight spacesuit, the result of four years of intensive research and development. According to a report by state broadcaster CCTV, this spacesuit is specifically designed to safeguard astronauts during extravehicular activities in the challenging lunar environment.
In contrast to Earth, the Moon’s lack of atmosphere results in rapid and extreme temperature fluctuations, ranging from approximately 120°C (248°F) to -130°C at the lunar equator. Additionally, astronauts on the Moon will encounter near vacuum-level pressure and significantly higher levels of solar radiation than on Earth.
As reported by CCTV, the spacesuit is engineered to enable astronauts to walk, climb, drive vehicles, and conduct scientific research on the lunar surface.
The spacesuit is constructed from specialized fabric designed to provide protection against both heat and lunar dust. It incorporates protective gloves that ensure dexterity and knee joints engineered for flexible movement in the Moon’s low-gravity environment.
Additionally, the suit is equipped with a panoramic, antiglare visor and a console that integrates communication systems with a video camera. Its design, according to the South China Morning Post, aims to project an image of strength and resilience. The Astronaut Centre of China also emphasized this symbolic intent, noting that the design reflects these values.
The Beijing-based Astronaut Centre of China, which oversees astronaut training and research in space travel, hosted a forum in Chongqing to present the suit. According to CCTV, the design is deeply influenced by Chinese culture. The upper portion of the suit, predominantly white, is adorned with red straps that symbolize a harmonious blend of strength and grace, reminiscent of traditional armor. Meanwhile, the red straps on the legs are meant to evoke the imagery of rocket tails igniting during lift-off.
The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) has launched a public naming campaign for the newly developed spacesuit, with the objective of incorporating elements from both traditional Chinese culture and contemporary technology. In April, the agency confirmed that the development of the necessary systems and the projected timeline remain on schedule for the planned lunar mission, which aims to send Chinese astronauts to the Moon by the end of the decade.
China’s lunar landing strategy involves two distinct launches of the Long March 10 rocket to transport both a crew of three astronauts and a lunar lander into orbit around the Moon. Once in orbit, the Mengzhou spacecraft will dock with the Lanyue lunar lander, after which the combined module will descend to the lunar surface.
Two astronauts are scheduled to spend several hours on the lunar surface, where they will engage in scientific research and exploration activities before launching to rejoin their colleague in lunar orbit. Subsequently, the entire crew will return to Earth.
Concurrently, the United States is preparing to return astronauts to the Moon for the first time since the Apollo Program (1969–1972), with a potential mission anticipated for 2026 or later. This initiative is part of NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon and lay the groundwork for future missions to Mars.
