China's Space Program Thread II

[by78]

Hainan Commercial Spaceport update: an integrated monitoring and control center for the spaceport's firefighting, security, climate control, and power generation systems has passed preliminary acceptance. Also passing preliminary assessment is the central water pump station for the spaceport's firefighting system.

 

[by78]

Satellite imagery as well as official Weibo confirms that LandSpace has begun construction of a launchpad for Zhuque-3 at Jiuquan.

https://imgur.com/mCOY7pb

Meanwhile, also at Jiuquan, satellite imagery suggests Tianbing has begun construction of a launchpad for its Tianlong-3 launch vehicle:

https://imgur.com/2Wrwkdo

 

[by78]

Construction progress on the Long March 10 launchpad and associated infrastructure at Wenchang.

https://imgur.com/o51xsS1

 

[by78]

The first steel beam for the Sanping test complex at the Hainan Commercial Spaceport has been hoisted. Once finished, the complex will occupy some 29 acres and be home to various facilities used to conduct final testing on satellites and then integrate them to launch vehicles. The complex will also host other auxiliary buildings for power generation/distribution and equipment storage.

 

[by78]

The private startup Beijing Arrowhead/Space Epoch (箭元科技公司) has successfully conducted a splashdown test of its reusable LOX/Methane XZY-1 rocket. The first stage of the rocket –– encased in stainless steel –– was dropped into sea water to simulate landing impact and was subsequently recovered. After cleaning and inspection, all systems and components (nozzles, engine, fuel tank, servos, etc.) remained in satisfactory condition, and the first stage can be re-used.

Next, the company plans to conduct a splashdown and towed recovery test in the open ocean by mid-2024. If that test is successful, a sub-orbital launch, splashdown, and towed recovery test will follow by the end of 2024.

https://imgur.com/WqV1bIP

Beijing Arrowhead/Space Epoch has partnered with Chinese E-commerce giant Taobao (owned by Alibaba) to explore package delivery using the company's XZY-1 rocket. The two partners will carry out demonstrations/experiments using a modified XZY-1 that features a cargo compartment with an internal volume of 120 cubic meters and can carry 10 tons of cargo. It is envisioned that such a vehicle can deliver express packages to anywhere in the globe in one hour or less.

 

[by78]

(Continued from above...)

More presentation slides from Zhongke.

Current and planned rocket lineup:
– Lijian-1 in active service with a 500km/SSO carrying capacity of 1.5t.
– Lijian-2 under active development with a 500km/SSO capacity of 7.8t, first flight in 2024, will be the main workhorse for the launch of Shanghai Qianfan constellation (上海垣信千帆星座).
– Lijian-2 Heavy, 500km/SSO capacity of 12t.
– Lijian-3, 500km/SSO capacity of 20t (with recovery).
– Lijian-3 will also be used for space tourism, carrying a spacecraft for space tourism; suborbital flight (100-120km altitude), carrying capacity of 1.5 to 2 tons. First suborbital test flight planned for 2024 and will officially take in space tourists in 2028.

Two engines unveiled:
– Both use LOX/Kerosene and extensively use 3D printed components.
– Liqing-1 engine: thrust 20 tons.
– Liqing-2 engine: thrust 85 tons.

Zhongke's resuable Liqing-1 and Liqing-2 engines (thrust specs upgraded to 30 tons and 110 tons, respectively),

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.

 

[by78]

New communication satellites from GeeSpace (subsidiary of automaker Geely) will soon begin deployment and provide direct-to-cell services.

GeeSpace (a subsidiary of automaker Geely) has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with iSpace/Interstellar Glory/Space Honor. GeesSpace will use iSpace as a launch provider for its constellation deployment.

 

[tphuang]

GeeSpace (a subsidiary of automaker Geely) has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with iSpace/Interstellar Glory/Space Honor. GeesSpace will use iSpace as a launch provider for its constellation deployment.

i think they had CASC launch the previous rocket?
I hope we see more success stories like this for private launchers
Maybe longer term, they can build their own launch sites

 

[anzha]

some western press:

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(note: I suspect China will get more participation once it lands on the Moon.)

a couple papers:

Emplacement mechanism of ponded light plains on the Moon: Insight from topography roughness

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A thrust inversion method for small satellite electric propulsion based on a momentum wheel

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[tphuang]

I mean you just have to show you are more advanced than America. That’s what this all comes down to