No it was first announced to be launch way back in 2023 for the first time, then that year rhey annlunved it will felayed by 2 years to launch in mid 2025 then late last year they anounced it will be delayed and launched late 2026, hopefully there wont be even more delays.
China's Space Program Thread II
- Thread starter Blitzo
- Start date
by78
General
The rocket has always been intended and designed for splashdown landing and towed recovery.
Rumor has it that the previous subsystem used foreign components and parts. To avoid potential sanctions in the future, it has been redesigned and implemented with a purely domestic solution.
Here's some reference information (currently known):
The CZ-3C rocket has an LTO payload capacity of 3.1-3.5 tons, with a lander weighing about 1 ton and a lunar surface payload of 0.15-0.2 tons.
The CZ-5 rocket has an LTO payload capacity of 8-8.2 tons, with a lander weighing about 1 ton and a lunar surface payload of 1-1.5 tons.
The CZ-10 rocket has an LTO payload capacity of 27 tons. Its crewed lander weighs approximately 3-5 tons (considering reusable ascent), with a lunar surface payload (downmass only) exceeding 5 tons.
The CZ-9 rocket has an LTO payload capacity of 50 tons. Its heavy lander weighs about 5-8 tons, with lunar surface payload capability exceeding 15 tons and reaching up to 20 tons.
In practical terms, at least a CZ-10-class rocket is required to transport larger lunar surface components for landing.
The actual size of the CZ-10 lander is similar to the Apollo-class lander. At this scale, if reused, its downmass would be 400-500 kg of usable payload (plus approximately 4-5 tons of propellant for ascent and orbit insertion). Future large-scale transport capabilities will essentially involve enclosed lunar rovers (similar to the NASA-Toyota concept) and various derivative engineering vehicles built upon this platform.
In reality, the CZ-9's payload capacity represents the most suitable single-launch lunar transport class for base construction. This class can directly deploy monolithic lunar habitat structures measuring 6 meters in diameter and 17 meters in length (approximately 15-20 tons).
Therefore, rockets below the CZ-9 class have limited significance for deep space exploration.
by78
General
by78
General
Updated specs of Tianbing's Tianlong-3 launch vehicle:
– 1st stage is now powered by nine TH-12 engines, as opposed to the seven previously.
– Length increased by 1m to 72m.
– Takeoff thrust increased from 770 tons to 840 tons.
– Takeoff mass increased from 590 tons to 600 tons.
– Capacity to LEO: 17 to 22 tons.
– Capacity to SSO: 10 to 17 tons.
– TH-12 engine thrust (sea level) reduced from 110 tons to 93 tons; specific impulse: 286s; T/W ratio: 163.
Older images of Tianlong-3 being assembled. The assembly has been completed by now in preparation for her maiden launch.
by78
General
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.
Two more images of the AstronStone AS-1.
Additional footage and images from ArrowHead's successful VTVL test.
I'm not happy with Chinese public views on this.
Almost everyone in the Tiktok comment section is saying this mission is failed though CCTV reports it's a success. Many even argue that China is learning from India, propagating failures to success. And ask CCTV to stay honest.
Public knowledge is so limited, that they believe recovery is failed unless the rocket is down on a pad/boat. If it's down on water, then that's not success. Apparently no one in the comment section knows down on water is a routine in initial tests, especially for pioneers like SpaceX. Meanwhile, CCTV don't care to explain these knowledge & regulations to the public so far, which brings more confusion.
We all know it's indeed a success. The company never prepared a pad. Instead, salvage ships were standing by before rocket launched. But public's negative response made me sad.
For example, under this video, you can see many are laughing at its failure. The comments are intense here.
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You don't need to care about what people say on TikTok or its original counterpart, Douyin — it's not a platform for rational discussion.I'm not happy with Chinese public views on this.
Almost everyone in the Tiktok comment section is saying this mission is failed though CCTV reports it's a success. Many even argue that China is learning from India, propagating failures to success. And ask CCTV to stay honest.
Public knowledge is so limited, that they believe recovery is failed unless the rocket is down on a pad/boat. If it's down on water, then that's not success. Apparently no one in the comment section knows down on water is a routine in initial tests, especially for pioneers like SpaceX. Meanwhile, CCTV don't explain these knowledge & regulations to the public so far, which brings more confusion.
We all know it's indeed a success. The company never prepared a pad. Instead, salvage ships were stand by before rocket launched. But public's negative response made me sad.