Mengzhou (spacecraft)

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The Mengzhou (Chinese: 梦舟; pinyin: Mèngzhōu; lit. 'Dream Vessel'), formerly known as the Next-Generation Crewed Spacecraft, is a crewed spacecraft in development by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). Its crewed flight capability is expected around 2027–2028. It comprises a seven-astronaut capacity crew module and an expendable service module for propulsion, solar power, and life support. Its role is similar to the operational US Orion and proposed Russian Orel lunar spacecraft. The lunar landing version is designed to enter lunar orbit and dock with the Lanyue lander, each separately launched on a Long March 10 rocket. Unlike Shenzhou, China's only crewed spacecraft since 2005, it will be more radiation hardened and suitable for the more ionized atmospheric entry at lunar return velocity. The near-Earth version focuses on reusability, launching crews on the Long March 10A to the Tiangong space station, replacing Shenzhou. Both versions will be the first crewed flights...

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