Mengzhou 1
Mockup of a Mengzhou spacecraft (2023) | |
| Mission type | Uncrewed flight test |
|---|---|
| Operator | China Manned Space Agency |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Mengzhou |
| Manufacturer | China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 2026 (planned) |
| Rocket | Long March 10A |
| Launch site | Wenchang, LC-3 |
| Contractor | China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
| Docking with Tiangong space station | |
| Docking port | Tianhe nadir |
Mengzhou 1 (Chinese: 梦舟一号; pinyin: Mèngzhōu yī hào; lit. 'Dream Vessel Number 1') is a planned uncrewed orbital test flight of the Mengzhou spacecraft presently scheduled for late 2026. This will also be the maiden orbital flight of the Long March 10A crew-rated rocket.
The mission will dock to the radial port of the Tiangong space station, which will become available after the planned departure of Shenzhou 23 in November 2026.[1]
One version of the Mengzhou spacecraft is planned as a future replacement for the Shenzhou spacecraft for missions to Tiangong and a more capable version will be used to transport crews to low lunar orbits for China's planned crewed lunar landings which are expected to occur by the end of the 2020s.[2]
See also
References
- ^ "我国明年将发射梦舟一号等4艘飞船 航天员开展1年以上长期驻留试验-新华网". www.news.cn. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
- ^ Jones, Andrew (30 October 2025). "China targets 2026 for first Long March 10 launch, new lunar crew spacecraft flight". spacenews.com. Retrieved 30 October 2025.