China unveils innovative lightweight spacesuit for lunar missions

The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) has recently unveiled a groundbreaking lightweight spacesuit designed for lunar exploration, marking a significant advancement after four years of research and development.  

According to state broadcaster CCTV, the suit is engineered to safeguard astronauts during extravehicular activities in the challenging lunar environment, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.  

Unlike Earth, the moon has no atmosphere, resulting in extreme and rapid temperature changes that can range from approximately 120°C (248°F) to minus 130°C near the equator. Astronauts will also contend with near vacuum-level pressure and significantly heightened solar radiation compared to Earth.

The suit is designed to enable walking, climbing, driving, and conducting scientific research on the lunar surface.   Tailored to address challenges posed by heat, dust, and low gravity, the suit is made from specialized fabric that protects against these elements. It features dexterous gloves and knee joints that allow for flexible movement in the moon's low-gravity setting.

Additionally, it comes equipped with a panoramic antiglare visor and a console that connects to communication systems and a video camera. Its design aims to project a message of strength and resilience, as reported by the South China Morning Post. The suit is equipped with a panoramic antiglare visor and a console that connects with communication systems and a video camera, designed to symbolize strength and resilience, as noted by the Astronaut Centre of China.

This Beijing-based center, which oversees astronaut training and space travel research, recently hosted a forum in Chongqing.   According to CCTV, the lunar suit's design draws inspiration from Chinese culture. The upper section of the white suit features red straps that represent a balance of strength and grace, resembling armor. The red straps on the legs symbolize the fiery trails of rockets during launch.  

The CMSA has launched a public campaign to name the suit, aiming to blend themes from traditional Chinese culture with modern technology. In April, the agency confirmed that plans are progressing to send Chinese astronauts to the moon by the decade's end.   China's lunar mission involves two Long March 10 rocket launches to transport three astronauts and a lunar lander into orbit around the moon.

The Mengzhou spacecraft and Lanyue lunar lander will dock in orbit before descending to the lunar surface. Two astronauts will spend several hours on the moon conducting scientific research and exploration before returning to the lunar orbit to reunite with their colleague, ultimately making their way back to Earth.  

Meanwhile, the US is also preparing to send astronauts back to the moon for the first time since the Apollo Program (1969–1972), with a mission potentially scheduled for 2026 or later. This effort is part of NASA's Artemis program, which aims to establish a long-term human presence on the moon and pave the way for future missions to Mars.

By Naila Huseynova