China's Space Program Thread II

[by78]

High-resolution images from the launch of Zhuque-2E Y2, which successfully inserted six satellites (Tianyi-29, -34, -35, -42, -45, and -46) into orbit. This was the 5th flight of the Zhuque-2 launch vehicle. The six Tianyi satellites were developed by the Tianyi Research Institute that include one InSAR remote sensing satellite Tianyi-42, two optical remote sensing satellites Tianyi-29 and -35, and three experimental space science satellites Tianyi-34, -45, and -46.

 

[by78]

An update on Zhuque-3 launch vehicle. Zhang Jinru, VP of LandSpace re-confirmed that the maiden launch of Zhuque-3 will take place in the 2nd half of this year (sometime in Q3). The company also expects to conduct a launch and 1st-stage recovery by the end of this year.

During the livestream of Zhuque-2E Y2 launch, Mr. Dai Zheng (戴政), who is the project lead for the Zhuque-3 launch vehicle, revealed that the full static test of the 1st stage of Zhuque-3 will be carried out next month (June).

 

[by78]

All five launchpads at Wenchang and Hainan Commercial Spaceport.

 

[Asug]

Is that where the ZQ-3 moсk-up is?

 

[Wrought]

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That's the methane one, right?

 

[eric7]

All five launchpads at Wenchang and Hainan Commercial Spaceport.

It's said that the core tube of the LM-10 launchpad has just completed topping out yesterday.

 

[ENTED64]

Why plan delayed? (changed from 2025 to 2027)

Space is hard and rockets take a long time to be ready. See:

First, I recommend reading this article (

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). After checking related materials, it’s clear that China’s 2024 space launches saw minimal delays or changes in national-level projects. The main shortfall came from commercial launch companies, which fell short by at least 22 planned launches.

The timelines for satellite constellations were probably too aggressive and the rockets just aren't ready yet. It will probably take a few years longer than originally planned, 2 year delay seems about right for where we are right now.

 

[ZachL111]

Not a launch, but a great article, and great overall work this team does.

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I think that explains quite well for newer English observers, a question that is commonly thought of, but has rarely been asked as far as I am aware in English-language discourse surrounding China. I do think this subject has been covered more on China-based social media platforms, though.

(For reference, it's not really asking the need as far as I can tell for China to have one, but how a Western-perceived socialist nation can have one)

 

[AndrewJ]

Incredible scenes of ZQ-2E launch. (bottom view)

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[by78]

Official announcement/confirmation on the timeline for upcoming deep space exploration missions:
– Tianwen-2 asteroid sample return mission will launch in 2025.
– Tianwen-3 Mars sample return mission will launch in 2028.
– Tianwen-4 Jupiter probe will launch around 2030.

Separately, China has confirmed that Chang'e-7 and -8 missions will be launched in 2026 and 2028, respectively.

Tianwen-2 asteroid sample return probe has been transported to launch site. Launch is planned at the end of May.