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China's lunar lander completes key test for mission to the moon

This image shows the Chinese moon lander, called Lanyue, successfully completing take-off and landing tests on 6 August at a site in Heibei Province

13 August 2025

This file photo shows a manned lunar lander during a trial at a test site in Huailai County, north China's Hebei Province. China on Thursday announced that it has successfully completed a comprehensive test for the landing and takeoff of its manned lunar lander at a test site in Huailai County, Hebei Province. The test completed on Wednesday represents a key step in the development of China's manned lunar exploration program, and it also marks the first time that China has carried out a test for extraterrestrial landing and takeoff of a manned spacecraft, said the China Manned Space Agency. — CMSA

China has taken one big step towards putting astronauts on the moon by successfully completing takeoff and landing tests for its lunar lander at a site in Hualai county, Hebei province, on. Called Lanyue, which means “embracing the moon” in Mandarin, the craft is designed to ferry crew from lunar orbit to the moon’s surface and back, a feat the country hopes to accomplish .

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