China's Space Program News Thread

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by78

by78

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A full-scale experiment to verify the landing forces for the Mars lander (?).

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Quickie

Quickie

Colonel
taxiya said:
seems so. The soil is red which is not the same as the surrounding environment (middle right). Although I wonder why do they even bother the color of the testing site since the test rig does not seem to carry any optic sensors.
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It could still be the soil's natural color. Long-distance scenery in the background tends to be lighter in color. Adding to that, the slight mist that was present at the time.
 
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taxiya

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Quickie said:
It could still be the soil's natural color. Long-distance scenery in the background tends to be lighter in color. Adding to that, the slight mist that was present at the time.
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The color is not an important issue anyway, it could be just me thinking too much. However, out of my interest, I would say few more words. We know that the main test site is in Hebei province (the one with simulated gravity for real landing test). I also see that the poplar trees in the background are typical of northern China, so the color of soil in the background fit its natural shade and hue rather than lightened, while the hue of the soil in the test pit is too red to be natural in the area. This reddish soil color is common in southern China, or in rare cases somewhere in Xinjian desert (Turpan).
 
BoraTas

BoraTas

Captain
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taxiya said:
A recent picture circulating (the last picture) seems to tell the CZ-9's latest payload figures: LEO 180t and LTO 65t. For comparison the largest Ares V configuration (LV51.00.48) was LEO 187.7t and LTO (TLI) 62.8t.

The final SLS block II cargo is LEO 130t and LTO 45t. As can been seen SLS is not proper comparison with CZ-9. I say this because very often some members bring up SLS when talking about design rational behind CZ-9. However in reality CZ-9 is in the same class of Ares V in terms of the mission capability therefor shares the same rational with Ares V. SLS on the other hand is quite different philosophy and purpose.

Here is the progression of CZ-9 concept design:
The very early design, length: 93 meters, LEO 140t and LTO 50t, the 2nd stage engine is open circle (gas generator)
View attachment 70458
Then the 2nd stage engine is changed to close circle (staged combustion) and length grow to 103 meters, that is 10 meters longer meaning more fuel with a more efficient 2nd stage therefor more payload. But I did not find the corresponding ppt showing the new LEO payload figure. Strangely the LTO payload is 50t unchanged. I regard it as a mistake.
View attachment 70459
Here is a picture showed up very recently in the last month, just after the announcement of CZ-9 program. Note, there is no CASC logo with it. So I can't be sure of its authenticity. But considering the improved 2nd stage engine and increased fuel volume, the payload figures seem very reasonable. LEO 180t and LTO 65t.
View attachment 70460

Another interesting thing is the CZ-9B variant. There are four YF-130 engines arranged in a way that the twin nozzles in a cross shape. In the middle, there are two smaller nozzles. It is either that the two nozzles are of another YF-130 and the ppt is not in right proportion, or they belongs to two smaller engines (YF-100).
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Any news on reusability?
 
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