> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://jatan.space/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Moon Monday #242: Artemis II advances, and so does Long March 10 🔥 - URL: https://jatan.space/moon-monday-issue-242/ - Published: 2025-09-15T11:40:56.000Z - Updated: 2025-09-16T09:36:07.000Z - Description: Plus mission updates. - Author: Jatan Mehta - Tags: Moon Monday, China and Luna, US Artemis ![](https://jatan.space/content/images/2025/09/artemis-ii-crew-enter-orion-capsule-to-practice-operations-and-procedures.jpg) The Artemis II flight crew (in suits) and the mission closeout crew (in clean room apparel) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida prior to test operations of the Orion lunar capsule. The flight crew from left to right: Mission Specialists [Jeremy Hansen](https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronauts/canadian/active/bio-jeremy-hansen.asp) and [Christina Koch](https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/christina-h-koch), Pilot [Victor Glover](https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/victor-j-glover), and Commander [Reid Wiseman](https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/reid-g-wiseman). [Image: NASA / Rad Sinyak](https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/artemis-2/nasas-artemis-crew-trains-in-moonbound-orion-ahead-of-mission/) NASA’s crewed [Artemis II](https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii) circumlunar mission targeting launch in early 2026 will see astronauts participate in multiple [advanced health monitoring experiments](https://www.nasa.gov/general/artemis-ii-crew-both-subjects-and-scientists-in-nasa-deep-space-research/). Given the scarcity of data on human health in deep space environments, the aim with the experiments is to collectively understand how the [four astronauts](https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-names-astronauts-to-next-moon-mission-first-crew-under-artemis) are physiologically affected by their 10-day deep space transit and its radiation influx. The [Orion capsule](https://www.nasa.gov/feature/meet-nasa-s-orion-spacecraft) hosting the astronauts will carry even more radiation sensors [than in Artemis I](https://jatan.space/science-on-artemis-i/#studying-deep-space-radiation-like-never-before), with a notable upgrade coming from a partnership with the German Space Agency (DLR): > NASA has again partnered the German Space Agency DLR for an updated model of their M-42 sensor—an M-42 EXT—for Artemis II. The new version offers six times more resolution to distinguish between different types of energy, compared to the Artemis I version. This will allow it to accurately measure the radiation exposure from heavy ions which are thought to be particularly hazardous for radiation risk. Artemis II will carry four of the monitors, affixed at points around the cabin by the crew. This collaboration builds on results from Artemis I [whose radiation data was evaluated](https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/artemis-1/artemis-i-radiation-measurements-validate-orion-safety-for-astronauts/) by NASA, ESA, and DLR scientists last year. They found that radiation exposure to future astronauts will vary not only based on time spent at locations within the capsule but also on Orion’s orientation in space. For example, [the paper says](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07927-7) when Orion’s orientation was altered during an engine burn, exposure levels dropped nearly in half due to the highly directional nature of the radiation in the Van Allen belt. These results are supporting understanding and preparedness for radiation exposure for Artemis II crew and beyond. ![](https://jatan.space/content/images/2025/09/artemis-1-radiation-experiements.jpg) The Artemis I Orion spacecraft carried multiple radiation experiments onboard, including anatomically accurate female torsos and varied radiation sensors. [Images: Stuart George, at al. / NASA / Lockheed Martin / DLR](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07927-7/figures/1) ### More Artemis II progress On other fronts of Artemis II, NASA recently completed the new “[Mission Evaluation Room](https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/orion/inside-nasas-new-orion-mission-evaluation-room-for-artemis-ii/)” to complement flight control. Said team will consist of about 48 engineers from across NASA, ESA, Lockheed Martin, and Airbus with deep knowledge of Orion’s subsystems. They will analyze technical data as the mission unfolds, assisting flight control with optimizations as well as during any anomalies. In August, the crew put on their spacesuits and headed to the launchpad to [simulate a possible nighttime launch](https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2025/08/14/artemis-ii-crew-train-for-night-launch-scenarios-at-kennedy-space-center/). They also practiced an emergency escape scenario should something go wrong in the launch complex. And in July, the crew entered the [fuel-loaded](https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2025/08/11/nasas-artemis-ii-orion-spacecraft-moves-closer-to-launch/) Orion [to practice activities and operations](https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/artemis-2/nasas-artemis-crew-trains-in-moonbound-orion-ahead-of-mission/) they’d have to perform before launch and during the transit to Luna. This excercise had high fidelity since the crew not only used the original capsule but also put on their spacesuits and tested Orion’s interfaces while the capsule operated on full power with its communications and life control systems turned on. Next up, Orion will be integrated with its emergency escape system. In the lead up to the eventual second [SLS rocket](https://www.nasa.gov/reference/space-launch-system/) launch for Artemis II, NASA will [conduct a series of 10 integrated tests](https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/artemis-2/integrated-testing-on-horizon-for-artemis-ii-launch-preparations/) over the remainder year. ![](https://jatan.space/content/images/2025/09/artemis-ii-integrated-tests-prelaunch.jpeg) The 10 integrated tests NASA will conduct in the lead up to the crewed Artemis II Moon mission launch on an SLS rocket. [Image: NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/artemis-2/integrated-testing-on-horizon-for-artemis-ii-launch-preparations/) ### While Artemis III lags.. In the meanwhile, Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy [named](https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/acting-nasa-administrator-duffy-selects-exploration-focused-associate-administrator/) Amit Kshatriya as the agency’s new Associate Administrator with the hope of accelerating the [slow progress](https://jatan.space/moon-monday-issue-240/) of the [Artemis III](https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/artemis-iii/) crewed Moon landing mission. Kshatriya previously led NASA’s [Moon to Mars Program Office](https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/new-program-office-leads-nasas-path-forward-for-moon-mars/) for planning and implementing Artemis missions. The slow progress of SpaceX’s human lunar landing system for Artemis III, [Lunar Starship](https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/as-artemis-moves-forward-nasa-picks-spacex-to-land-next-americans-on-moon), has implied that the US will likely not meet its [self-imposed goal](https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/President-Trumps-Fiscal-Year-2026-Discretionary-Funding-Request-Overview.pdf) of “beating China” to the Moon, leading to [continued chatter](https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/senators-insist-artemis-must-get-america-back-to-the-moon-before-china/) in the US Congress. The only exceptions to mere fear-mongering are seen in an [op-ed by three former Artemis leaders](https://spacenews.com/we-led-nasas-human-exploration-program-heres-what-artemis-needs-next/) and notably what former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine—under whom Artemis was conceived—spoke at a US Senate meeting on September 3\. From Jeff Foust’s [apt summary](https://www.thespacereview.com/article/5053/1) on The Space Review: > Bridenstine, in his opening remarks, criticized that need for in-space refueling of a propellant depot. “We’ll need to launch—nobody really knows, nobody knows—but it could be up to dozens of additional Starships to refuel the first Starship,” he said. “By the way, that whole in-space refueling thing has never been tested, either.” He added that, once that depot Starship fuels the lunar lander Starship, it’s unclear how long the lander version can then loiter in lunar orbit, waiting for the crew to arrive on an SLS-launched Orion. The Acting NASA Administrator responded in anger: > That was shade thrown on all of NASA. I was angry about it. \[...\] I’ll be damned if that is the story that we write. \[...\] We are going to beat the Chinese to the Moon. Given China’s bagging of a quicker succession of [milestones in 2025](https://jatan.space/moon-monday-issue-237/) than expected, this story may not be for the Americans to write. **Related:** [*We’re building future technologies for the Moon without closing missed milestones*](https://jatan.space/pitfalls-in-lunar-exploration/) *🕳️* The article linked above takes the longer view of sustaining [exploration of our Moon](https://jatan.space/why-explore-the-moon/) through robustness of approach and collaboration. No matter who lands humans on the Moon first in this century, it’s important that we take a global view if, after all, we really are going to Luna for “humanity” as is often proclaimed. As I noted in the article on [Starship being slow to ship](https://jatan.space/moon-monday-issue-240/): > It’ll be great to have a second nation from Earth land humans on Luna. We should be happy that we now have two distinct efforts to sustain crewed and robotic exploration of our Moon. It gives humanity a better chance to do so since a dichotomic political system can apparently only do better under a competitive mindset and [internal fear-mongering](https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/08/after-recent-tests-china-appears-likely-to-beat-the-united-states-back-to-the-moon/). ## A Long March 10 booster roars thrice with Luna in sight ![](https://jatan.space/content/images/2025/09/long-march-10a-second-static-fire-test-first-stage.jpeg) ****Left inset:** A test first stage structure of the upcoming Long March 10A rocket. See the technician humans standing beside for scale; ****Right inset:** Second static fire test run of the rocket’s seven YF-100K engines roaring in tandem. Images: [CMSA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-%5Fvo3kI1vTU) / [CCTV / CALT](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk2dnLGCuGs) On September 12, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) and the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) [conducted](https://www.china-in-space.com/p/long-march-10-completes-second-static) multiple [test fires](https://weibo.com/5304666796/Q4eTUCznU?layerid=5210105949192486) for the [upcoming Long March 10 series](https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202508/15/content%5FWS689eec3dc6d0868f4e8f4dcb.html) of crew-capable rockets using a high fidelity first stage structure. This follows the [first test in August](https://jatan.space/moon-monday-issue-238/) when they simultaneously fired the seven YF-100K high-thrust kerolox engines for 30 seconds to validate the design system, components, and materials which will power Long March 10A rockets. These will launch China’s [next-generation human spacecraft](https://jatan.space/moon-monday-issue-230/) named Mengzhou to Earth orbit for Tiangong space station visits. To [launch humans to the Moon](https://jatan.space/moon-monday-issue-176/), China will combine three Long March 10A first stages to form the core stage of the Long March 10\. This rocket—as China’s most capable—will loft a lunar [Mengzhou Y](https://jatan.space/moon-monday-issue-230/) capsule with humans and, in a separate launch, the [Lanyue lander](https://jatan.space/moon-monday-issue-237/) towards lunar orbit. The second Long March 10A booster test fire involved simultaneous roaring of the engines for longer than the first time, engine gimbaling, restarting of four engines, and then of one. The latter two modes were to test engine performance for China’s plan to recover Long March 10A boosters post launch with reentry and landing burns. The cumulative firing time in the second test was 320 seconds, an order of magnitude more than the first. CMSA noted the importance of the milestone [in its release](https://english.spacechina.com/n17212/c4430261/content.html): > The move marks a breakthrough in developing the initial prototype of the Long March-10 series of carrier rockets. \[...\] This test focused on evaluating the capabilities of the seven clustered engines of the rocket's first stage for low-thrust operating condition and secondary restart condition, obtaining complete test data. To see all recent milestones hit by China in the lead up to its first crewed Moon landing aimed to be accomplished by 2030, read my review article linked below: [China’s march to the Moon 🌗](https://jatan.space/moon-monday-issue-237/) --- *Many thanks to* [***Catalyx Space***](https://catalyx.space)*,* [***Gurbir Singh***](https://gurbir.co.uk) *and* [***Arun Raghavan***](https://arunraghavan.net) *for sponsoring this week’s Moon Monday! If you too appreciate my efforts to bring you this curated community resource on global lunar exploration for free, and without ads, kindly support my independent writing:* [Support Moon Monday 🌙](https://jatan.space/support) --- ## More mission updates ![](https://jatan.space/content/images/2025/09/change-7-lander-orbiter-illustration.jpg) Illustration of the Chang’e 7 lander and orbiter. [Image: CMG](https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-06-05/China-sets-record-in-sixth-rocket-engine-trial-of-crewed-lunar-mission-1knNhdQYU6I/index.html) - In August, Thailand’s National Astronomical Research Institute (NARIT) [delivered](https://www.narit.or.th/en/NARITNews-20250830-MATCH) its \~5-kilogram [MATCH payload](https://www.narit.or.th/en/technology-development/space-system-technologies/MATCH) to CAS and CNSA. The country’s first to the Moon, MATCH will fly aboard China’s upcoming [Chang’e 7](https://jatan.space/moon-monday-issue-174/#the-instrumental-and-increasingly-international-7) orbiter. It will study [solar storms](https://jatan.space/the-sun-and-its-wind/) and [cosmic rays](https://news.uchicago.edu/explainer/what-are-cosmic-rays) respectively with two instruments. CNSA aims to launch the Chang’e 7 lander-orbiter stack in late 2026\. MATCH was developed by over a dozen Thai researchers in collaboration with seven professors across Chinese scientific institutions. Thailand was the first country to sign and participate in both the Sino-led [ILRS Moonbase](https://jatan.space/moon-monday-issue-177/) project and the US-led [Artemis Accords](https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-accords) \[announcements [one](https://www.cnsa.gov.cn/english/n6465652/n6465653/c10497120/content.html) and [two](https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-welcomes-thailand-as-newest-artemis-accords-signatory/)\]. Senegal is the [only other country](https://payloadspace.com/senegal-becomes-2nd-ilrs-member-to-join-artemis-accords/) to sign both. I hope many more join. - **Related:** [*The case for India to study and exchange Chang’e lunar samples*](https://jatan.space/moon-monday-issue-241/#the-case-for-india-to-study-and-exchange-chang%E2%80%99e-lunar-samples) - ispace Europe [announced](https://ispace-inc.com/news-en/?p=7846) that is has passed the milestone of “Mission Design Review” (MDR) for the [MAGPIE rover mission](https://jatan.space/moon-monday-issue-228/#two-new-european-moon-missions) its leading to study lunar polar [water ice](https://jatan.space/ultimate-guide-to-water-on-the-moon/) and other such volatiles. The launch target is 2028\. The mission team involving European universities won a \~[€2.7 million ESA contract](https://ispace-inc.com/news-en/?p=7621) earlier this year to collaborate with the agency for achieving the scientific goals. ispace Europe says the MDR went free of any critical blockers, allowing the project to proceed to the next phase of funding and development which will involve maturing payload designs and building prototypes. Similar to the upcoming joint ISRO-JAXA [LUPEX rover](https://jatan.space/indian-space-issue-25/) mission, MAGPIE will also feature a drill, a ground penetrating radar, and a neutron spectrometer to map and analyze lunar polar soil. ## More Moon - Riccardo Pozzobon, an instructor on ESA’s [Pangaea](https://www.esa.int/Science%5FExploration/Human%5Fand%5FRobotic%5FExploration/CAVES%5Fand%5FPangaea/What%5Fis%5FPangaea) analog lunar campaign to train future astronauts, unfortunately [passed away](https://blogs.esa.int/caves/2025/09/11/a-tribute-to-dr-riccardo-pozzobon/) in an accident during a recent excursion. 😔 - Blue Origin [announced](https://www.blueorigin.com/news/blue-alchemist-hits-major-milestone-toward-permanent-sustainable-lunar-infrastructure) that it has passed Critical Design Review (CDR) for its Blue Alchemist project, which involves making solar cells using silicon and metals extracted from lunar soil simulants. This milestone is part of a broader goal set in 2023, when the company [received $34.7 million](https://jatan.space/moon-monday-issue-138/) from NASA as part of public-private *Tipping Point* contracts to build advanced lunar technologies. That broader goal is to demonstrate the autonomous operation of Blue Alchemist solar cells in a “simulated lunar environment” by 2026\. The latest CDR milestone clears the way towards achieving that goal. While Blue Alchemist is an undeniably intriguing project, the sheer complexity and scale of producing infrastructure *on the Moon* to power habitats means that at least for a decade from now, NASA’s plans for getting power—[solar](https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/three-companies-to-help-nasa-advance-solar-array-technology-for-moon) and [nuclear](https://jatan.space/moon-monday-issue-238/)—for surface activities continues to be through the annoying tradition of pulling material out of [Earth’s gruesome gravitational well](https://jatan.space/the-moon-as-a-rocket-platform/). It should be noted though that Blue Alchemist also includes systems for [extracting oxygen](https://jatan.space/moon-monday-issue-153/) from lunar soil while getting metal byproducts so that’s valuable in itself. ![](https://jatan.space/content/images/2025/09/blue-alchemist-extracted-materials-1.jpeg) Materials such as iron, silicon, glasses, and ceramics extracted from simulated lunar soil by the electrolysis reactor part of the Blue Alchemist project. [Image: Blue Origin](https://www.blueorigin.com/news/blue-alchemist-hits-major-milestone-toward-permanent-sustainable-lunar-infrastructure) - [*Chandrayaan 4 will bring unique Moon materials—and maybe a giant scientific leap for India*](https://jatan.space/moon-monday-issue-241/) 🌓🪨