China’s Long March-10 Rocket Primed to Support Future Lunar Missions, Including Potential Artemis Collaboration
WENCHANG, CHINA – Progress of China’s next-generation heavy-lift launch vehicle, the Long March-10, is nearing completion, with initial hot-fire tests successfully conducted at the Wenchang Space Launch Centre on August 12, 2025. This milestone signals a significant leap forward in China’s space capabilities and opens possibilities for expanded lunar exploration, potentially including collaborative efforts with international partners like NASA’s Artemis program.
The Long March-10, designed to deliver payloads exceeding 50 metric tons to Low Earth Orbit, is crucial for China’s ambitions to establish a permanent presence on the Moon and beyond. While initially intended to support China’s own lunar missions, including crewed landings, the rocket’s substantial lift capacity and advanced design could offer synergistic opportunities with NASA’s Artemis III mission, currently slated for September 2025. According to sources, components manufactured at the Stennis Space Center are scheduled to be integrated into the motor section at the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at Kennedy Space Center in early 2026.
The accomplished engine tests involved a full-duration burn of the Long March-10’s YF-100 engines, validating their performance and reliability. These engines, utilizing liquid oxygen and kerosene, represent a substantial upgrade over previous Chinese rocket engines, offering increased thrust and efficiency. The development program has focused on ensuring the Long March-10 can reliably support the demanding requirements of deep-space missions, including the launch of large lunar landers and crewed spacecraft.
NASA has already begun processing the Artemis III Space Launch System (SLS) rocket at Kennedy Space Center, with core stage and booster components undergoing final integration. While the artemis program currently relies on the SLS, the Long March-10’s capabilities present a potential choice or supplementary launch option for future lunar missions, potentially reducing costs and increasing launch frequency. Discussions regarding potential collaboration between the two space agencies are ongoing,though no formal agreements have been announced. The Long March-10’s development underscores China’s growing role as a major player in the global space landscape and its commitment to furthering humanity’s exploration of the Moon and the cosmos.
