LINE

Text:AAAPrint
Sci-tech

China makes breakthrough in R&D of heavy-lift launch rocket

1
2017-03-04 17:01CGTN Editor: Li Yan ECNS App Download

China has officially started early explorations in the research and development of a heavy-lift launch vehicle‍. An important breakthrough has now been made in technical challenges of the rocket engine.

Research and development of the two kinds of high thrust engines is smoothly progressing, said Tan Yonghua, director of the Science and Technology Department, No.6 Research Institute of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

Wu Yanhua, the deputy director of China National Space Administration, said China's heavy-lift launch vehicle will be named Long March 9, and its first flight is planned for around 2030.

Qin Xudong, director of the overall design department, No.1 Research Institute of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, said the main research project is known as "One Overall Three Big."

"One Overall" relates to the optimization of the overall system, "Three Big" refers to the design, manufacturing and testing of big-caliber rockets; 480 tons of high-thrust (big power) liquid oxygen and kerosene engines and 220 tons of high-thrust (big power) hydrogen and oxygen engine.

Compared to the five-meter diameter rocket Long March 5, heavy-lift launch vehicle Long March 9 is much more difficult to develop. It needs higher requirements, Qin Xudong indicated.

Tan Yonghua stated that the thrust of Long March 9 is designed to be greater than 3,000 tons, its carrying capacity at near-Earth orbit is more than 100 tons and its transferring capacity from the Earth to the Moon is greater than 50 tons, which meets the needs of a future manned lunar landing, Mars exploration and farther deep space exploration.

It is reported that world space powers have all restarted research and development of heavy-lift launch vehicles.

If Long March 9 can accomplish its first flight, the heavy-lift launch vehicle would likely become the world's largest carrying rocket.

  

MorePhoto

Most popular in 24h

MoreTop news

MoreVideo

News
Politics
Business
Society
Culture
Military
Sci-tech
Entertainment
Sports
Odd
Features
Biz
Economy
Travel
Travel News
Travel Types
Events
Food
Hotel
Bar & Club
Architecture
Gallery
Photo
CNS Photo
Video
Video
Learning Chinese
Learn About China
Social Chinese
Business Chinese
Buzz Words
Bilingual
Resources
ECNS Wire
Special Coverage
Infographics
Voices
LINE
Back to top Links | About Us | Jobs | Contact Us | Privacy Policy
Copyright ©1999-2018 Chinanews.com. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.