China has successfully carried out its first integrated landing and takeoff trial of a crewed lunar lander, marking a milestone in its manned lunar exploration program. The test took place Wednesday at a facility in Huailai county, Hebei province, the China Manned Space Agency confirmed Thursday.

The spacecraft, called Lanyueeart - meaning embracing the mooneart - is composed of a landing module and a propulsion module. It is purpose-built for ferrying two astronauts between lunar orbit and the surface while transporting a rover and scientific instruments.

Once on the moon, Lanyue will act as a life-support hub, power source, and communications and data center, enabling extended surface stays and operations for its crew.

The agency emphasized the trial's complexity, citing extended time

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