Super-Shenzhou, using a LM 5-500 booster, can perform manned lunar orbital missions in the second half of the 2010's, if Beijing deems it worthwhile in terms of world technology status. Such a vehicle could also visit other interesting regions of Earth-moon space including various lagrangian points.
A manned lunar landing is a big step beyond THAt capability, and decisions to build the boosters and spacecraft for it don't have to made for years yet.
If they could put a Super-Shenzhou into lunar orbit using a LM 5-500 booster, then they may still be able to develop a manned lander program in short order. All they'd have to do is to have two launches - one to put an unmanned lander into lunar orbit and the other carrying the crew using a Shenzhou. Just because Apollo did it all with a single Saturn V launch, it doesn't mean that's the only way to accomplish the mission.
It would be a tough challenge to do the mission this way, but it could be done. They might launch the unmanned lander days or even weeks ahead of the crewed mission, and then rendezvous in lunar orbit. One or more crew members could then land, do their mission, then fly back to the crew capsule for the trip home. It'd be an interesting variation of the LOR mission profile with risks of its own, but it wouldn't require building a super booster like the Saturn V. All they'd have to do is develop the lander.
Space/Science » in reply to Another moron-reporter
Perhaps not
