China's Space Program Thread II

by78

General
I think these are protective panels against space debris. The next spacewalk is imminent, and additional protective panels will be installed.

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by78

General
Shenzhou-19 crew have completed another spacewalk. It lasted seven hours, during which additional space debris protection was installed to the exterior of the space station. Also, Cai Xuzhe has also become the first taikonaut to complete five spacewalks.

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by78

General
More information on Astronstone's AS-1 launch vehicle has been released by the company:
– Diameter: 4.2m
– Capacity (non-reusable, reusable): >15 tons (to LEO?), >10 tons (to LEO?)
– Launch cost (non-reusable, reusable): 20000RMB or 2800USD per kg, 10000RMB or 1400USD per kg.
– Turnaround cycle for the reusable 1st stage: 10 days.

According to AstronStone, the development of the AS-1 is progressing rapidly. The 2nd stage propellant tank will be finished this month. By the end of this year, the company expects to begin conducting 2nd-stage ignition tests, finish building the 1st stage for the maiden flight, as well as completing ground verification tests of the chopstick recovery system.

Sounds ambitious. We'll see.

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A thin-wall stainless steel propellant tank for the 2nd stage of the AS-1 launch vehicle has rolled off the production line. The tank has a diameter of 4.2m.

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