China has successfully conducted a significant hot fire test of the first stage of its Long March 10 rocket, a key development in its ambitious plan to land astronauts on the Moon before the end of the decade. The test, which took place on September 12, 2025, at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on Hainan Island, involved igniting seven YF-100K engines for a sustained 320 seconds.
This critical test aimed to evaluate the clustered engines' performance under low-thrust conditions and their ability to restart. Both the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) confirmed the test's success and the complete acquisition of all necessary data. The Long March 10, standing 92.5 meters tall, is a powerful three-core, three-stage rocket engineered specifically for China's crewed lunar missions.
China's lunar landing strategy involves utilizing two Long March 10 rockets. One will carry the crewed spacecraft, Mengzhou, while the second will transport the lunar landing stack, Lanyue. Once in lunar orbit, the Mengzhou spacecraft is designed to rendezvous and dock with the Lanyue lander, enabling two astronauts to descend to the lunar surface. This entire process is crucial for achieving China's goal of a crewed lunar landing before 2030, with aspirations for a sustained human presence through the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).
This successful hot fire test follows other important advancements in China's lunar program. Notably, the Lanyue lunar lander underwent successful landing and takeoff tests on August 6, 2025. The Long March 10's first-stage engine, the YF-100K, has been subjected to extensive testing, accumulating thousands of seconds of cumulative duration, underscoring the rigorous development process. These static fire tests have fully verified the performance of the first-stage seven-engine power system and the reliability of the work procedure design, thereby accelerating the overall progress of China's manned lunar exploration project. The Long March 10 rocket is now considered to be in its "sprint phase" towards its maiden lunar landing mission.
The progress of China's lunar program is closely monitored internationally, especially when compared to the United States' Artemis program. While the U.S. program navigates its own set of challenges and timelines, China's consistent advancements, including this recent successful hot fire test, highlight a focused and determined approach to achieving its lunar objectives.