A progress update on the Hainan spaceport for commercial launches. The first two images below show launchpad no. 1, whose basic ground infrastructure has been finished. Next, the launch tower and other equipment will be erected and installed.
Is the second stage YF-115?The new Long March 6C rocket is currently being assembled. Its maiden flight is expected sometime this year.
This new variant is 50m long, 3.35m in diameter, and can carry payload fairings with diameters of 3.35m, 4.2m, or 5.2m. The rocket has two stages, with the first stage powered by two YF-100 engines and the second powered by one YF-100. Payload to SSO is 1.5 tons.
Geopolitics pure and simple. It's sad that EASA has to halt their cooperation with China on this important space program but such is the current reality due to the scope and issue stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine which has affected the overall political climate in the countries making up EU. Hopefully, time and situation permitting, China and EU can find some ways to collaborate constructively on this endeavour.
