Should this be taken to mean that they plan to reuse boosters?
China's Space Program Thread II
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escobar
Brigadier
China to carry out intensive space missions in 2025: CNSA
Source: XinhuaEditor: huaxia
2025-04-17 19:02:18
BEIJING, April 17 (Xinhua) -- China will carry out intensive space missions, including Tianwen-2 for asteroid exploration, in 2025, an official of the China National Space Administration (CNSA) said on Thursday.
The Tianwen-2 mission will carry out asteroid flyby and sampling, and the Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21 crewed spacecraft are also scheduled for launch this year, said Liu Yunfeng, deputy director of the CNSA's system engineering department, at a press conference on the upcoming Space Day of China.
In terms of international collaboration, Liu confirmed two major projects: the China-Europe joint space mission -- Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) -- which aims to uncover how solar wind interacts with Earth's magnetosphere, and an electromagnetic monitoring satellite jointly developed by China and Italy, which will support research into earthquake prediction.
China will deepen space cooperation with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), BRICS nations, and European partners, Liu said. Efforts will focus on advancing collaboration in lunar and deep space exploration, including jointly promoting the construction of the international lunar research station, he added.
Within the BRICS framework, China will continue advancing the development of the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation to enhance disaster emergency data sharing, Liu said.
China will also provide satellite services to BRI partner countries, supporting their space capacity development and fostering sustainable progress in agriculture, disaster prevention, and smart city initiatives, he added.
Liu also outlined the events planned for the 10th Space Day of China, to be held on April 24 in Shanghai, which include the opening ceremony, space science exhibitions, cultural forums, and academic conferences.
Given CZ-3B's fuel chemistry, doubtful. More likely it is for safety reasons.
by78
General
Yet another new space tourism company. Co. was co-founded in 2023 by TV host (雷诗情) and Hong Jianwu (洪建武), and many of its current personnel have previously worked for China's manned space program. Interstellor is currently developing the CYZ-1 sub-orbital spacecraft that can carry seven passengers. The company aims to first launch the spacecraft (unmanned mode) in 2026, with the goal of commencing commercial operations by 2028. The ticket price is set at three million RMB, and the first customer signed up in November of 2023. Interstellor has signed a cooperation agreement with a certain unnamed launch provider to launch the CYZ-1 spacecraft.
Mr. Li Lixuan (李立浧), an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, signed up for a space tour with Beijing Interstellor.
by78
General
The first Lijian-2 fuselage being assembled.
Lijian-2 has recently passed vibration testing of its pipelines (fuel, oxidizer, and coolant pipes). Maiden flight is tentatively set for September.
The parafoil recovery mode has usage limitations, with a maximum recoverable rocket body mass of approximately slightly over 10 tons.
CZ-3B first stage: Dry mass ~12-13 tons
CZ-3B boosters (4 units): Each dry mass ~2-3 tons
(Current uncertainty remains about whether the recovered components are the first stage or boosters).
For newer rockets:
CZ-7/8 first stage: Dry mass ~14-16 tons
CZ-7/8 2.25m boosters: Each dry mass ~6-8 tons
This recovery method proves impractical for medium-to-large rockets due to mass constraints. The technical limitations of parafoil systems in handling heavier components—combined with the structural demands of reusable rockets—make them unsuitable for current Chinese medium/heavy-lift launch vehicles like the CZ-5 and CZ-7/8 series.
China will land people on the moon with the 4th and 5th LM-10 rocket. 1st rocket probably send empty Mengzhou around the moon while 2nd and 3rd send crewed Mengzhou and a Lanyue lander around the moon for rehearsal/docking practice.
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Cute Dolphin's speculated Chinese lunar mission sequence and comments
(Plan A):
1. Changzheng 10 Yao-1 (CZ-10 Y1): First flight of the "Mengzhou" spacecraft, unmanned. It will be launched into lunar orbit, circle the Moon, and return to Earth. The primary objectives are to test re-entry at second cosmic velocity and ensure the safety of the entire flight process. This mission is analogous to NASA's Artemis I.
2. Changzheng 10 Yao-2 (CZ-10 Y2): Launch of the second "Mengzhou" spacecraft, unmanned. It will enter lunar orbit and await docking.
3. Changzheng 10 Yao-3 (CZ-10 Y3): Launch of the "Lanyue" lunar lander, unmanned. It will enter lunar orbit and dock with the "Mengzhou" spacecraft. The lander will then descend to the Moon's surface, conduct robotic sampling, and test the lunar rover. After completing its tasks, the lander will ascend and dock with the "Mengzhou" spacecraft in lunar orbit, which will then return to Earth.
Note: The order of CZ-10 Y2 and Y3 can be interchanged; they are considered part of the same mission plan.
4. Changzheng 10 Yao-4 (CZ-10 Y4): Launch of the second "Lanyue" lunar lander, unmanned. It will enter lunar orbit and await docking.
5. Changzheng 10 Yao-5 (CZ-10 Y5): Launch of the third "Mengzhou" spacecraft, carrying three astronauts. It will enter lunar orbit and dock with the "Lanyue" lander launched by CZ-10 Y4. Two astronauts will transfer to the lander and perform China's first crewed lunar landing.
(Plan B):
1. Changzheng 10 Yao-1 (CZ-10 Y1): First flight of the "Mengzhou" spacecraft, unmanned. It will be launched into lunar orbit and await docking.
2. Changzheng 10 Yao-2 (CZ-10 Y2): Launch of the first "Lanyue" lunar lander, unmanned. It will enter lunar orbit and dock with the "Mengzhou" spacecraft. The lander will then descend to the Moon's surface, conduct robotic sampling, and test the lunar rover. After completing its tasks, the lander will ascend and dock with the "Mengzhou" spacecraft in lunar orbit, which will then return to Earth. This mission serves as a full rehearsal of an unmanned lunar landing.
Note: The order of CZ-10 Y1 and Y2 can be interchanged; they are considered part of the same mission plan.
3. Changzheng 10 Yao-3 (CZ-10 Y3): Launch of the second "Mengzhou" spacecraft, crewed. It will enter lunar orbit without docking operations and then return to Earth. This mission is analogous to NASA's Artemis II.
4. Changzheng 10 Yao-4 (CZ-10 Y4): Launch of the second "Lanyue" lunar lander, unmanned. It will enter lunar orbit and await docking.
5. Changzheng 10 Yao-5 (CZ-10 Y5): Launch of the third "Mengzhou" spacecraft, which will dock with the "Lanyue" lander. Two astronauts will transfer to the lander and perform China's first crewed lunar landing.
If these upcoming rocket and spacecraft launches proceed without major issues, and the combination of Changzheng 10 Yao-4 and Yao-5 achieves a successful lunar landing, then China's lunar mission sequence essentially boils down to these two possible plans. I'm curious to know which one everyone thinks is better.
Compared to the Apollo lunar missions, a key advantage of China's first crewed lunar landing plan is the ability to conduct a full unmanned rehearsal, eliminating the need for astronauts to pioneer each step as was necessary during Apollo. This approach enhances safety and allows for thorough testing of systems and procedures before committing to a crewed mission. However, a potential drawback is the limited number of rocket launches in the interim. This could mean that by the time of the actual crewed lunar landing, the launch vehicle might not have undergone sufficient testing, leading to more conservative design choices. On the other hand, fewer launches could also be beneficial in terms of cost and resource management.
Aiming for a lunar landing by 2030 is an extremely tight schedule, leaving no room for errors... Wishing all the best for a successful mission!
(Plan A):
1. Changzheng 10 Yao-1 (CZ-10 Y1): First flight of the "Mengzhou" spacecraft, unmanned. It will be launched into lunar orbit, circle the Moon, and return to Earth. The primary objectives are to test re-entry at second cosmic velocity and ensure the safety of the entire flight process. This mission is analogous to NASA's Artemis I.
2. Changzheng 10 Yao-2 (CZ-10 Y2): Launch of the second "Mengzhou" spacecraft, unmanned. It will enter lunar orbit and await docking.
3. Changzheng 10 Yao-3 (CZ-10 Y3): Launch of the "Lanyue" lunar lander, unmanned. It will enter lunar orbit and dock with the "Mengzhou" spacecraft. The lander will then descend to the Moon's surface, conduct robotic sampling, and test the lunar rover. After completing its tasks, the lander will ascend and dock with the "Mengzhou" spacecraft in lunar orbit, which will then return to Earth.
Note: The order of CZ-10 Y2 and Y3 can be interchanged; they are considered part of the same mission plan.
4. Changzheng 10 Yao-4 (CZ-10 Y4): Launch of the second "Lanyue" lunar lander, unmanned. It will enter lunar orbit and await docking.
5. Changzheng 10 Yao-5 (CZ-10 Y5): Launch of the third "Mengzhou" spacecraft, carrying three astronauts. It will enter lunar orbit and dock with the "Lanyue" lander launched by CZ-10 Y4. Two astronauts will transfer to the lander and perform China's first crewed lunar landing.
(Plan B):
1. Changzheng 10 Yao-1 (CZ-10 Y1): First flight of the "Mengzhou" spacecraft, unmanned. It will be launched into lunar orbit and await docking.
2. Changzheng 10 Yao-2 (CZ-10 Y2): Launch of the first "Lanyue" lunar lander, unmanned. It will enter lunar orbit and dock with the "Mengzhou" spacecraft. The lander will then descend to the Moon's surface, conduct robotic sampling, and test the lunar rover. After completing its tasks, the lander will ascend and dock with the "Mengzhou" spacecraft in lunar orbit, which will then return to Earth. This mission serves as a full rehearsal of an unmanned lunar landing.
Note: The order of CZ-10 Y1 and Y2 can be interchanged; they are considered part of the same mission plan.
3. Changzheng 10 Yao-3 (CZ-10 Y3): Launch of the second "Mengzhou" spacecraft, crewed. It will enter lunar orbit without docking operations and then return to Earth. This mission is analogous to NASA's Artemis II.
4. Changzheng 10 Yao-4 (CZ-10 Y4): Launch of the second "Lanyue" lunar lander, unmanned. It will enter lunar orbit and await docking.
5. Changzheng 10 Yao-5 (CZ-10 Y5): Launch of the third "Mengzhou" spacecraft, which will dock with the "Lanyue" lander. Two astronauts will transfer to the lander and perform China's first crewed lunar landing.
If these upcoming rocket and spacecraft launches proceed without major issues, and the combination of Changzheng 10 Yao-4 and Yao-5 achieves a successful lunar landing, then China's lunar mission sequence essentially boils down to these two possible plans. I'm curious to know which one everyone thinks is better.
Compared to the Apollo lunar missions, a key advantage of China's first crewed lunar landing plan is the ability to conduct a full unmanned rehearsal, eliminating the need for astronauts to pioneer each step as was necessary during Apollo. This approach enhances safety and allows for thorough testing of systems and procedures before committing to a crewed mission. However, a potential drawback is the limited number of rocket launches in the interim. This could mean that by the time of the actual crewed lunar landing, the launch vehicle might not have undergone sufficient testing, leading to more conservative design choices. On the other hand, fewer launches could also be beneficial in terms of cost and resource management.
Aiming for a lunar landing by 2030 is an extremely tight schedule, leaving no room for errors... Wishing all the best for a successful mission!
I would knock out a few CZ-10A (no boosters) missions carrying cargo (inside the Mengzhou) to the space station first to get some more flight data logged. Maybe possibly a crew exchange mission to the space station too. Anything goes wrong, shorter distance to the ground.