China says it is on track to send astronauts to the Moon by 2030

China has said it is on track to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030 as it prepares to send another team of astronauts to its space station, part of its ambitious plans to become a leader in space exploration.

JIUQUAN, China — China said Thursday it is on track to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030, introducing the next crew of astronauts heading to its space station as part of the country’s ambitious plans to become a leader in space exploration.

“Currently, every research and development program aimed at sending a person to the Moon is progressing smoothly,” said Zhang Jingbo, a spokesperson for China’s manned space program, citing the Long March 10 rocket, moon landing suits and exploration vehicle as successful efforts of this work. “Our set goal of China sending a man to the Moon by 2030 is firm.”

China is also preparing to send its final rotation of astronauts who will be part of the ongoing mission to complete the Tiangong space station, as part of its broader space exploration plans. Each team stays inside the station for six months to conduct research.

The final crew joining the others on the station will be Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang. They will take off from the Jiuquan launch center on Friday at 11:44 p.m. in China. Zhang was previously part of the Shenzhou 15 mission to the station. For Wu and Zhang, this will be their first time in space.

The astronauts will also take four mice with them on this trip, two males and two females. They will study the effects of weightlessness and confinement on animals.

China began work on the Tiangong, or “Heavenly Palace,” after the country was barred from the International Space Station due to U.S. national security concerns over the Chinese space program’s direct link to the People’s Liberation Army.