China announces names of spacesuit and crewed lunar rover

China unveiled on Wednesday the names of its moon-landing spacesuit and the crewed lunar rover.

According to a news release from the China Manned Space Agency, the new spacesuit, which will be worn by astronauts as they walk on the lunar surface, is named Wangyu, or Stargazing, while the manned rover's name is Tansuo, or Exploration.

The agency explained that the word "Wangyu" symbolizes a new chapter in China's space endeavor that features manned missions to the moon and deep-space expeditions and also demonstrates the country's determination to uphold the peaceful use of outer space and pursue a shared future of mankind.

The naming of Tansuo represents the Chinese people's exploration of the unknown world and displays the spirit of relentless marching forward of the people working for the nation's manned space programs, according to the agency.

The names were reviewed and chosen by a group of experts from more than 9,000 proposals, which were solicited from members of the public.

Currently, prototypes of the spacesuit and rover are being designed and the research work has been progressing smoothly, it said.

China has announced its plan of conducting its first manned mission to the moon around 2030.

Major space institutes and enterprises have been involved in the research and development of hardware to be used in the ambitious project.

In addition to developing technologies and constructing spacecraft and infrastructure, the Chinese space community has also been striving to spark and maintain attention and enthusiasm from the public by publicizing project developments such as the naming of key components.

In February 2024, the manned space agency announced the names of the lander that will carry Chinese astronauts to the moon's surface and a new crew spaceship that will ferry astronauts.

The lander is named Lanyue, or Embracing the Moon, which first appeared in a poem written by the late Chairman Mao Zedong in 1965. The name symbolizes the Chinese people's aspiration and confidence in their exploration of the universe and expedition to the moon. The new spaceship's name is Mengzhou, or Dream Vessel, which represents its responsibility of fulfilling the Chinese nation's dream of landing on the moon to start a new journey of space adventure, according to the agency.