Plumes of exhaust rise above trees during a tethered hot-fire test of a Long March 10 first stage at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan, China, September 12, 2025. The test stand and service tower are visible with cranes and support structures in the background.
A short tank test article undergoing a hot fire test at Wenchang spaceport, Hainan, Sept. 12, 2025. Credit: CASC

HELSINKI — China conducted a rocket stage hot fire test Friday in the latest step in the country’s plans to land astronauts on the moon.

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Andrew Jones writes about China's space industry, including civilian programs, space science and exploration, policy, and commercial developments for SpaceNews, and writes the China Report newsletter. He has additional bylines in Scientific American,...