BY:SpaceEyeNews.
China Long March-10 Moon rocket test marked a historic milestone on August 15, 2025, as engineers successfully fired the rocket’s seven-engine first stage at the Wenchang launch site on Hainan Island. The 30-second trial generated nearly 1,000 tonnes of thrust, the most powerful ground test in China’s spaceflight history, and signaled a critical step toward the nation’s goal of landing astronauts on the Moon by 2030.
A Historic Test at Wenchang
At precisely 7:30 p.m. local time, engineers ignited seven YF-100K engines in parallel, clustered together on the Long March-10’s first stage. For about 30 seconds, the engines roared in synchronization, producing a combined thrust of nearly 1,000 tonnes. According to the China crewed Space Engineering Office (CMSEO), the test was a complete success: all engines functioned under both nominal and high-power modes, and the systems collected comprehensive performance data.
What made this trial so significant is that it was held on the LC-301 pad, the actual launch site from which future lunar missions will depart. This not only tested the engines but also validated critical ground infrastructure: cryogenic fueling lines, ignition systems, flame deflectors, and structural supports for the immense rocket. Conducting the trial on the launch pad instead of a stand-alone facility demonstrated readiness for full-scale launches in the near future.
The YF-100K Engine: Upgraded Power
The YF-100K upgrade proved itself during the China Long March-10 Moon rocket test, where the clustered engines reached nearly 1,000 tonnes of thrust.
The seven engines tested were YF-100Ks, an improved model of the YF-100, which already powers several Long March rocket variants. The YF-100 is a kerosene and liquid oxygen engine that has been flying successfully for years on the Long March-5, -6, -7, and -8 rockets.
The new YF-100K brings performance improvements: higher thrust levels, better efficiency, and durability enhancements to withstand multiple firings. Each YF-100K can generate approximately 130 tonnes of thrust at sea level. When clustered, the seven engines produced nearly 1,000 tonnes, marking the largest thrust output in a single Chinese ground test to date.
This design choice also reflects a stepwise development philosophy. Rather than creating an entirely new propulsion system from scratch, Chinese engineers chose to evolve the YF-100 into the YF-100K. By using an engine with established flight heritage and scaling it through clustering, they reduce development risks while still achieving unprecedented power.
Building the Long March-10
The Long March-10 is set to be China’s new-generation crew launch vehicle. Measuring about 92 to 93 meters tall (302 feet), it will tower over most of China’s existing rockets and serve as the successor to the Long March-2F, which has been used for every human spaceflight since 2003.
The rocket is designed with three stages and two strap-on boosters. At liftoff, a total of 21 YF-100K engines will fire: seven in the central core and seven in each booster. Together, they will generate more than 2,600 tonnes of thrust, roughly three times the power of the Long March-5.
With this performance, the Long March-10 will be able to send 27 tonnes of payload into trans-lunar injection—enough to launch either the Mengzhou crew spacecraft or the Lanyue lunar lander. This capability is essential for China’s plan to conduct a crewed lunar landing by 2030.
The Four-Stage Development Plan
The China Long March-10 Moon rocket test was the second step in a carefully phased roadmap, following the three-engine trial of 2024.The seven-engine firing was not an isolated test, but part of a structured four-stage development roadmap:
- 2024 – Three-engine cluster test: Engineers tested a smaller configuration, producing about 382 tonnes of thrust. This validated ignition sequencing and thrust balancing in multi-engine operation.
- 2025 – Seven-engine static fire (current test): Nearly 1,000 tonnes of thrust were achieved, proving the full-scale cluster works reliably under launch pad conditions.
- Upcoming – Low-altitude flight test: Engineers will evaluate ascent dynamics, separation systems, and possibly booster recovery techniques at lower altitude.
- Future milestone – Full orbital launch: The ultimate demonstration before declaring the Long March-10 operational for crewed lunar missions.
This stepwise testing approach reduces risks while building confidence progressively. Each milestone strengthens the case that the rocket will be ready on time to support China’s 2030 lunar timetable.
Mengzhou and Lanyue: The Lunar Mission Hardware
Parallel to rocket development, China has been working on the spacecraft and lander that will carry astronauts to the Moon.
- Mengzhou spacecraft: This is the crew capsule that will replace the Shenzhou design. It has already undergone a pad-abort escape test, proving it can rapidly separate from the rocket in case of an emergency at launch. Mengzhou is larger than Shenzhou and designed for longer-duration missions, carrying more astronauts than its predecessor.
- Lanyue lunar lander: Specifically designed for Moon landings, the Lanyue has completed landing and ascent tests. These trials showed that the lander could touch down on the lunar surface and then ascend back into orbit for docking.
In China’s mission plan, two Long March-10 rockets will launch separately. One will carry the Mengzhou spacecraft, and the other will carry the Lanyue lander. The two modules will rendezvous and dock in lunar orbit. Astronauts will transfer to the lander, descend to the Moon’s surface, complete their mission, and then return to orbit for the trip back to Earth.
A Giant Step Beyond: The International Lunar Research Station
The Long March-10 is not just a one-mission vehicle. It is part of a larger vision for building permanent human presence beyond Earth.
China, in collaboration with Russia and other partners, is planning the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), targeted for completion in the mid-2030s near the Moon’s south pole. The Long March-10 will serve as the workhorse for delivering crews and equipment, while the even larger Long March-9—a Starship-class vehicle under development—will carry heavier infrastructure.
The successful seven-engine static fire test shows that China is making real progress toward the ILRS. By validating engine clusters and launch pad systems, the country has strengthened the foundation for sustained lunar operations.
Why This Matters Globally
From a broader perspective, the Long March-10’s progress demonstrates how quickly China’s space program has advanced in just two decades. From its first human spaceflight in 2003 to today’s tests of a super-heavy lunar rocket, the pace has been rapid and consistent.
For the international community, milestones like this signal that crewed lunar exploration will not be limited to one nation. Multiple countries, with different rockets and mission architectures, are now racing to return humans to the Moon. The Long March-10 stands as China’s entry ticket into this new era of exploration.
Looking Ahead to 2030
With the static fire now behind them, engineers will move toward the low-altitude flight test, the next major step. If all goes as planned, orbital trials could follow within the next two years. This timeline keeps the rocket on track for a crewed lunar landing attempt by around 2030.
By that time, China envisions not just touching the Moon but preparing for long-term operations, including power stations, habitats, and science outposts. The Long March-10 is central to these ambitions. Its successful test at Wenchang confirms that the country’s vision is supported by hardware that is steadily proving itself.
Conclusion
The seven-engine static fire test of the Long March-10 rocket was more than an engineering achievement—it was a declaration of readiness. With nearly 1,000 tonnes of thrust, proven at the very pad where future launches will occur, China has validated the core systems of its new lunar rocket.
Together with the Mengzhou crew spacecraft and the Lanyue lunar lander, the Long March-10 is shaping into a complete architecture for human exploration of the Moon. The timeline is ambitious—crewed lunar missions by 2030, followed by the International Lunar Research Station by 2035—but the progress is undeniable.
This test marks a turning point: from designing and planning to executing and demonstrating. The roar of seven engines in unison was not just a technical success; it was the sound of a new chapter in human space exploration.
Reference:
https://www.extremetech.com/aerospace/china-successfully-tests-lunar-launch-vehicles-first-stage