China eyeing Rimae Bode volcanic plain for first crewed moon landing

A near-side volcanic region could shape China’s first crewed mission and future lunar research.

Image via Dom Le Roy (Pexels)

A volcanic plain on the Moon’s near side is emerging as a leading candidate for China’s first crewed landing. Rimae Bode, located within Oceanus Procellarum, features sinuous rilles carved by ancient lava flows that could expose subsurface materials rarely sampled in prior missions.

Observations from China’s Chang’e orbiters …