The predominantly white outfit is accented with bold red stripes across the upper portion, inspired by the "flying apsaras," figures from ancient Chinese mythology that symbolize grace and power.
As global interest in lunar exploration intensifies, China has made a significant move, revealing the spacesuits that its astronauts may don when they land on the Moon. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) is aiming to place its astronauts on the lunar surface by 2030, marking a key milestone in its ambitious space program.
While NASA’s Artemis program continues to advance, China is rapidly closing the gap. CMSA officials showcased their new extravehicular activity (EVA) spacesuit during a special event held in Chongqing on September 28, signaling China’s serious intent to compete in the new space race. This new lunar spacesuit represents a major leap forward in both functionality and design, although the official name of the suit is still undecided.
A Closer Look at China’s New Spacesuit Design
The new spacesuit was modeled by Wang Yaping, the second Chinese woman in space, alongside veteran astronaut Zhai Zhigang. Designed specifically for lunar exploration, the suit has several notable upgrades compared to its predecessors. Notably, it is slimmer, lighter, and features advanced protective materials that shield astronauts from the extreme temperature variations and lunar dust encountered on the Moon.
In addition to these practical improvements, the new suit boasts a panoramic, anti-glare visor and integrated cameras capable of capturing images at both short and long focal lengths. These upgrades will greatly enhance the astronauts’ ability to explore the lunar surface with more agility and precision. The suit also allows for greater mobility, an essential feature for extended lunar exploration missions.
A Fusion of Functionality and Aesthetics
Beyond its technical enhancements, CMSA has also paid attention to the visual appeal of the suit. The predominantly white outfit is accented with bold red stripes across the upper portion, inspired by the “flying apsaras,” figures from ancient Chinese mythology that symbolize grace and power. On the lower half, the red stripes are designed to evoke the image of rocket flames, emphasizing the strength and determination of China’s space ambitions. According to Zhang Wanxin, director of the CMSA engineering office, these design elements convey a sense of armor, symbolizing resilience and perseverance.
Interestingly, the public has been invited to participate in naming the new spacesuit, though the official name will be decided at a later date.
A Broader Vision for Lunar Exploration
This unveiling comes on the heels of China’s recent success with the Chang’e-6 mission, which made history by returning samples from the Moon’s far side. Looking ahead, China plans to send additional robotic missions to the lunar south pole in 2026 and 2028, with the long-term goal of establishing a permanent lunar base. If the CMSA succeeds in landing astronauts on the Moon by 2030, they will spend an estimated six hours on the surface before returning to Earth—a mission that would solidify China’s role as a key player in space exploration.
China is not alone in advancing its spacesuit technology. NASA, in collaboration with Axiom Space, recently introduced its next-generation EVA suits as part of the Artemis program. Additionally, SpaceX demonstrated its latest spacesuit design during the Polaris Dawn mission, the first commercial spacewalk in history. Although NASA aims to send astronauts around the Moon as early as September 2026 with Artemis 3, delays are expected, and the Artemis 4 mission, targeting a lunar landing, may be pushed back beyond its original 2028 timeframe.
With both NASA and CMSA making significant strides, the race to return humans to the Moon is becoming increasingly competitive. As China continues to advance its lunar ambitions, the next decade promises to be an exciting chapter in space exploration.
