China is developing a comprehensive deep-space infrastructure designed to provide continuous, high-bandwidth communication and precise navigation for its astronauts on the lunar surface. This ambitious project, described as a “communications superhighway,” is a critical logistical and technical pillar supporting the nation’s goal of landing a crewed mission on the moon by 2030 and establishing a permanent presence there. The system is engineered to solve the immense challenges of tracking, guiding, and maintaining contact with explorers operating hundreds of thousands of kilometers from Earth.

The initiative represents a foundational step in creating a self-sufficient cislunar ecosystem, moving beyond single-mission capabilities to build a permanent and expandable network. According to plans detailed by researchers, the network will not only serve China’s upcoming crewed landings and its planned International Lunar Research Station but will also be capable of monitoring and tracking other objects and spacecraft operating in the vast region between Earth and the moon. This positions the infrastructure as a strategic asset in an era of growing international activity and competition focused on lunar resources and settlement.

An Interplanetary Network Architecture

The proposed system is a multi-layered network designed for robust, uninterrupted service. The architecture’s core consists of a constellation of 30 satellites and three primary lunar ground stations. This configuration is intended to provide global users with real-time services, including communication, navigation, and remote monitoring. Researchers from the China Academy of Space Technology and the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering outlined the plan, emphasizing its capacity to support complex, simultaneous operations.

The network is designed to enable at least 20 astronauts to communicate with Earth simultaneously through audio, high-definition images, or video streams. Beyond basic communication, it will offer precise positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services crucial for spacecraft during the Earth-moon transit, lunar orbit insertion, and powered descent to the surface. For astronauts and rovers on the ground, this system will function much like a planetary-scale GPS, allowing for exact navigation across the challenging lunar terrain. Furthermore, its monitoring capabilities are designed to be powerful enough to track moving targets as small as one meter within the cislunar region, enhancing situational awareness for all missions.

Hardware for a New Era of Exploration

This advanced tracking and communications network will support a new generation of powerful spaceflight hardware currently undergoing rigorous testing. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) has confirmed that the primary prototypes for all key systems have been completed. The cornerstone of the program is the Long March-10 carrier rocket, a heavy-lift vehicle specifically designed for crewed lunar missions. It has already undergone successful tests of its second-stage power system and captive firing trials.

Crew and Lander Systems

The crew will travel in the Mengzhou spacecraft, a next-generation vehicle designed for deep-space transit that can also service the Tiangong space station in low-Earth orbit. The Mengzhou has successfully passed critical tests, including a zero-altitude escape test to validate its launch safety systems. For the most critical phase of the mission, astronauts will descend to the lunar surface in the Lanyue lander, a vehicle that has completed comprehensive landing and takeoff verification tests. Once on the moon, astronauts will wear the newly developed Wangyu extravehicular suit and drive the Tansuo manned lunar rover to conduct their exploration and scientific research.

A Firm 2030 Landing Timeline

Chinese space officials remain steadfast in their goal to land astronauts on the moon before the end of the decade. At a press conference in late October 2025, CMSA spokesperson Zhang Jingbo stated that all development and construction for the crewed mission are proceeding as planned. He acknowledged the significant challenges ahead, noting that many new technologies still require validation and that the flight test schedule is tight. However, he affirmed the program’s commitment, stating, “Our fixed goal of China landing a person on the moon by 2030 is firm.”

To meet this deadline, engineers have a packed schedule of upcoming milestones. The next phases of development will include an integrated test of the Lanyue lander, thermal and maximum dynamic pressure escape tests for the Mengzhou spacecraft, and low-altitude flight verification for the Long March-10 rocket. These tests are designed to push the hardware to its limits and ensure the safety and reliability required for a human-rated system.

Strategic Stakes in Cislunar Space

The development of this communications and tracking infrastructure is driven by more than just exploration; it is a strategic imperative. In a paper published in Chinese Space Science and Technology, experts noted that cislunar space has become a new frontier for human activity and is set to “expand rapidly over the next decade, driving a new round of global competition.” This competition is already underway for finite resources such as orbital slots and radio frequencies, which will only become more contested.

Chinese researchers have stressed the urgent need to establish a comprehensive roadmap for cislunar infrastructure to gain a strategic edge. By building a robust and independent network, China aims to avoid redundant construction for future missions and ensure its long-term exploration efforts are efficient and well-supported. This includes not only crewed landings but also the construction of the International Lunar Research Station and future missions into the outer solar system. While the United States, Europe, and Japan have similar plans for lunar infrastructure, China’s publicly detailed roadmap appears to be advancing methodically.

Leveraging Low-Earth Orbit Experience

China’s lunar ambitions are built upon the extensive experience gained from constructing and operating its Tiangong space station. The modular station, whose name means “Heavenly Palace,” was completed in 2022 and provides a permanent platform for long-duration missions in low-Earth orbit. It has allowed China to master key technologies in rendezvous, docking, life support, and in-orbit scientific operations.

The continuous crewed presence aboard Tiangong, such as the recent Shenzhou-21 mission that carried three astronauts for a six-month stay, demonstrates a mature and reliable human spaceflight capability. This operational expertise is considered a vital prerequisite for undertaking the far more complex challenge of a crewed lunar mission. The Tiangong program has served as a crucial stepping stone, allowing China to test systems and train a new generation of astronauts, preparing them for the journey to the moon.