China's Space Program Thread II

[tankphobia]

Imagine an object about 1.5 meters in size at a distance of 200 meters. Will it seem close to you?
In reality, the chance of a collision is very small anyway. But let me add, I personally am not at all enthusiastic about the Starlink systems. These systems incredibly pollute the space around the earth and are really not necessary. Progress is rapid and better technologies will certainly be available in a few years.

For orbit in which distances is measured in hundreds to thousands of km, 200 meter is an unacceptable level of risk.

Saying that, starlink esq LEO internet satellites only have a shelf life of 5-10 years before they run out of fuel and deorbit, so any issue with pollution is at least not permanent.

 

[Jono]

starlink esq LEO internet satellites only have a shelf life of 5-10 years before they run out of fuel and deorbit, so any issue with pollution is at least not permanent.

I wonder if this kind of "sympathetic" comment would still be made if a Chinese company instead of Starlink was involved??
I am not trying to accuse anybody of double standards, but China has almost always been painted in a bad light for whatever it does.

 

[tankphobia]

I wonder if this kind of "sympathetic" comment would still be made if a Chinese company instead of Starlink was involved??
I am not trying to accuse anybody of double standards, but China has almost always been painted in a bad light for whatever it does.

I'm not sure how you turned a fact about short lived LEO satellites into a East vs West pissing contest.

 

[ZachL111]

Ziyuan-3 04 was launched on a Long March 4B, forgot to post it.

This series of satellites is for 3D cartography mapping, focused on the civilian sector.

https://imgur.com/a/oP9bWCY

87th launch from China in 2025.

 

[escobar]

On July 3, 2025, the Long March 10B, a 5m reusable commercial launch vehicle was approved for development. This vehicle leverages and upgrades the market-oriented development model of the Jielong 3 and Long March 8 rockets, boasting high efficiency, high efficiency, and low cost. With a recovered first stage, it has a payload capacity of no less than 16 tons to low Earth orbit (200km LEO) and no less than 11 tons at a 900km, 50° orbital inclination.
View attachment 158906

The 5m diameter reusable rocket (likely CZ-10B) will maiden launch in first half year of 2026