China hasn’t landed humans on the Moon yet as of 2026; the plan is for crewed landings in the 2030s.
When was the last time China went to the moon?
China’s most recent Moon mission, Chang’e 5, brought lunar samples back to Earth on December 16, 2020, making it the first robotic sample-return mission since the Soviet Luna 24 in 1976.
Unlike crewed missions, Chang’e 5 used a four-part spacecraft: an orbiter, lander, ascent stage, and return capsule. It touched down in the Mons Rümker region and scooped up about 1.7 kilograms of material from as deep as 2 meters. China’s next step is Chang’e 6, which aims for the lunar south pole around 2026.
Did China land on the moon first?
Nope, China wasn’t first; the USSR’s Luna 2 mission smashed into the Moon on September 14, 1959.
The first soft landing happened a year later with Luna 9 on February 3, 1966. China’s first soft landing came much later, on December 14, 2013, with Chang’e 3. Check out the early lunar milestones below:
| Mission | Country | Type | Date |
|---|
| Luna 2 | USSR | Impact | Sep 14, 1959 |
| Luna 9 | USSR | Soft landing | Feb 3, 1966 |
| Apollo 11 | USA | Crewed landing | Jul 20, 1969 |
| Chang’e 3 | China | Soft landing | Dec 14, 2013 |
How many countries have walked on the moon?
Only one country has ever had astronauts walk on the Moon: the United States, with 12 astronauts across six Apollo missions.
The Soviet Union and China have pulled off robotic landings, but no humans outside the U.S. have set foot there. Here’s the breakdown of crewed lunar activity:
| Country | Manned Missions | Moonwalks | Year Range |
|---|
| USA | 6 | 12 | 1969–1972 |
| USSR | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| China | 0 | 0 | N/A |
Who was the first Chinese to land on the moon?
As of 2026, no Chinese person has landed on the Moon yet; the country’s crewed lunar program targets the 2030s for its first human landing.
China’s Chang’e missions have already made history with the first far-side landing (Chang’e 4 in 2019) and a sample return (Chang’e 5 in 2020). The CNSA hasn’t named any crew members for lunar missions yet, but taikonauts are training at the China Astronaut Center. The first Chinese lunar landing won’t happen before 2030.
How many Chinese astronauts have been in space?
China has launched 18 taikonauts into space across six crewed missions as of 2026, starting with Yang Liwei in Shenzhou 5 on October 15, 2003.
This number doesn’t include astronauts from other countries who might fly on future Chinese missions. The Shenzhou program has grown from solo flights to three-person crews and longer missions. China’s even planning to expand its taikonaut corps with a fourth group of recruits.
How many flags are on the Moon?
Six American flags currently sit on the Moon, planted during Apollo missions 11 through 17.
Five of those flags are still standing as of 2026, based on high-res images from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. The Apollo 11 flag got knocked over during liftoff; the rest are probably bleached and crumbly from years of solar radiation. No other country has managed to plant a flag up there.
Is China going to the Moon?
Absolutely, China is pushing ahead with both robotic and crewed Moon missions through its Chang’e and International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) programs.
The CNSA wants to build a permanent research station at the lunar south pole in the 2030s, with robotic missions like Chang’e 6, 7, and 8 paving the way. Russia and other international partners are joining in on the ILRS project.
Will China send a man to the Moon?
Yes, China aims to land taikonauts on the Moon by 2030, with regular crewed missions planned for the rest of the decade.
This timeline was laid out in a 2021 white paper and confirmed again in 2023. The plan hinges on a new heavy-lift rocket, the Long March 10, and a lunar lander currently in development. After initial crewed landings, China wants to set up a permanent base.
Why did NASA stop going to the Moon after Apollo 17?
NASA wrapped up crewed Moon missions after Apollo 17 because of the massive cost, changing priorities, and waning political enthusiasm, leading to the cancellation of Apollo 18–20 in 1970.
The Apollo program cost roughly $25.8 billion back then (over $150 billion today), and Congress slashed NASA’s budget once the initial lunar landings succeeded. The focus shifted to the Space Shuttle and Skylab instead. NASA didn’t send humans back to the Moon until the Artemis program, with Artemis 2 scheduled for 2025.
Is anyone lost in space?
No humans are currently lost in space; 18 people have died during spaceflight, all during launch or re-entry, not in orbit or beyond.
These tragedies include the 1967 Apollo 1 fire (3 astronauts), 1967 Soyuz 1 (1), 1970 Apollo 13 (no deaths but extreme danger), 1971 Soyuz 11 (3), 1986 Challenger (7), and 2003 Columbia (7). Every fatal incident happened either on Earth, in the atmosphere, or during re-entry—none occurred in deep space or on other worlds.
Is the flag still on the Moon?
Yes, the flags from Apollo 12, 16, and 17 are still standing on the Moon as of 2026.
NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has snapped photos of these flags since 2009. The Apollo 11 flag fell over during takeoff and is probably just a white smear by now. The other three (Apollo 14 and 15) likely toppled over from rover activity or over time.
Is Indian flag on moon?
Yep, India planted its flag on the Moon with the Moon Impact Probe in 2008.
The probe hit the lunar surface on November 14, 2008, as part of the Chandrayaan-1 mission. That made India the fifth country to leave a flag on the Moon, after the USA, USSR, Japan, and China. India also became the fourth country to soft-land on the Moon with Chandrayaan-3 in 2023.
What is a Chinese astronaut called?
A Chinese astronaut is called a taikonaut, a mashup of the Mandarin word for “space” (taikong) and “astronaut.”
The term popped up in the late 1990s and caught on internationally. It’s a neat way to tell Chinese spacefarers apart from American “astronauts” and Russian “cosmonauts.” Yang Liwei became the first taikonaut in 2003 aboard Shenzhou 5.
Is China going to Mars?
China plans to launch its first crewed mission to Mars in 2033.
The announcement came in 2021 as part of a long-term goal to build a permanent base on Mars. The roadmap includes robotic missions between 2024 and 2030, followed by crewed landings. China wants to mine resources and set up infrastructure for long-term stays.
What lands on the Moon?
Everything from robotic landers and rovers to sample-return craft and crewed lunar modules has touched down on the Moon.
Robotic missions include the USSR’s Luna series, China’s Chang’e missions, and India’s Chandrayaan-3. The only crewed landings so far? NASA’s Apollo lunar modules from 1969 to 1972. Landing on the Moon is easier than on Mars because of its low gravity—just one-sixth of Earth’s.
