China is developing low-cost lunar cargo options for its expanding moon program

HELSINKI — A state-owned space contractor has unveiled a concept for an "economical lunar cargo transport" system as China prepares for construction of a lunar base.

An exhibit put on display by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) at the Shanghai Commercial Aerospace Conference and Exhibition 2026 (CACE 2026) shows a concept for a cylindrical lander, described as an "economical lunar cargo transport" system.

State media Xinhua published a photograph of the exhibit March 13 along with other articles on display at CACE 2026. Meanwhile, further information shared on Chinese social media showed related footage of a demonstration vehicle conducting propulsive liftoff, hover, hazard avoidance and landing tests. The display states the lander would use methane-liquid oxygen propulsion, rather than the hypergolic propellants used on earlier Chinese deep-space spacecraft.