Mengzhou

Mengzhou ("Dream Vessel") (Credit: CMSA)

Mengzhou means "Dream Vessel" or "Dream Boat".

Mengzhou is the next generation replacement of Shenzhou. There will be two versions, one for missions to Tiangzhou space station, and a second for lunar missions.

The MengZhou system consists of an return module housing the astronauts), and a service module (power and propulsion). Crew capacity will be 6-7 for LEO missions, 3 for lunar missions.

A successful test of the launch escape system took place 17 June 2025. The first test flight is scheduled for 2026, and a lundar landing in 2030.

Mengzhou will be obout 8.8 meters long, 4.5 meters in diameter, and have a mass of 22,000 kg. The Long March 10 (under development) will be the launch vehicle. (Merngzhou is slightly smaller than the US Orion spacecraft.)

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Concept drawing of Mengzhou (left) and Lanyue (right) (Credit: CMSA)

Mengzhou launch escape test (Credit: CMSA)

 

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Page last modified: 28 February 2026 07:39:15.