China's Space Program Thread II

by78

General
More images from the ongoing space exhibit at the National Museum of China.

52754188173_23ba4524b7_k.jpg
52753162067_02d5519c01_k.jpg
52754188283_29286c697a_k.jpg

52753698901_4aba3876b4_k.jpg
52753945044_f3095fdab3_k.jpg
 

siegecrossbow

General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Here's a question. Why aren't launches done from the Tibet-Qinghai plateau region? Then you've already got the first 4-5km of ascent covered. Must yield some some cost saving?

How exactly do you transport a rocket up a mountain like that?
 

Dante80

Junior Member
Registered Member
Here's a question. Why aren't launches done from the Tibet-Qinghai plateau region? Then you've already got the first 4-5km of ascent covered. Must yield some some cost saving?
This is a common misconception in rocketry. To launch something into orbit, altitude is strictly secondary to sideways speed. You need a speed of at least 7.8 km/s (28,000 kph) to reach and then keep something in orbit around this planet.

If altitude was important enough, then launching from large balloons or carrier aircraft would be a lot, LOT more popular than it is. And while there are some very small benefits from launching higher up in the atmosphere (drag, better engine nozzle expansion ratios)...the cons certainly out-weigh them.
 
Top