CNSA news, Updates and Discussions

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Delicate Change‘6 drilling on the Moon with great details.

 

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Chang'e 6 ascender lift off from the Moon.

 

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China’s private launch company Space Pioneer raises $200 million in new C+ funding round

Space Pioneer has announced a new round of funding of ￥1.5 billion Yuan(~$200 milllion dollars) for development of the Tianlong-3 rocket. The funds will be used for production of the liquid rocket Tianlong 3, which is a medium lift LOX/RP-1 fueled rocket with a payload capacity of 17t to LEO.

 

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Chang'e 6 ascent module completed lunar orbit automatic docking and sample transfer with the orbiting module today

 

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China’s private launch company Space Pioneer raises $200 million in new C+ funding round

Space Pioneer has announced a new round of funding of ￥1.5 billion Yuan(~$200 milllion dollars) for development of the Tianlong-3 rocket. The funds will be used for production of the liquid rocket Tianlong 3, which is a medium lift LOX/RP-1 fueled rocket with a payload capacity of 17t to LEO.
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All private Chinese orbital launches

 

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Sexy arm of Chang'e 6

 

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Comparison of lift off moments of Chang'e 5 & 6 ascenders

 

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China’s private launch company Space Pioneer raises $200 million in new C+ funding round

Space Pioneer has announced a new round of funding of ￥1.5 billion Yuan(~$200 milllion dollars) for development of the Tianlong-3 rocket. The funds will be used for production of the liquid rocket Tianlong 3, which is a medium lift LOX/RP-1 fueled rocket with a payload capacity of 17t to LEO.
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Video with great details of the nine engines of the first stage of Tianlong-3

 

[skywatcher]

China’s secretive spaceplane conducts proximity operations with small spacecraft

China’s experimental reusable spaceplane has been using a smaller spacecraft to test proximity operations, potentially even capturing the object.

spacenews.com

China’s secretive spaceplane conducts proximity operations with small spacecraft
Andrew Jones June 13, 2024

HELSINKI — China’s reusable spaceplane has been using a smaller spacecraft to test proximity operations, potentially even capturing the object.

China launched its spaceplane for the third time via a Long March 2F rocket Dec. 14, 2023. The spacecraft released an object into orbit, first cataloged by U.S. Space Force space domain awareness teams May 24, following orbit-raising and months of stable operation.

Analysis of orbital data and observations from Leiden, the Netherlands, by Marco Langbroek, a lecturer in optical Space Situational Awareness at Delft Technical University, suggest the spaceplane has used the spacecraft, “Object G,” to test rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) June 7-8.

Such operations could be useful for retrieving, repairing and maintaining friendly satellites, or potentially nefarious counterspace operations against an adversary’s spacecraft.

After ejecting the object, the spaceplane performed an avoidance maneuver and later made additional maneuvers between June 5-7, Langbroek stated in his blog post. These brought it close to the object again June 8.

“Some combinations of the orbital data for epoch 24160 do suggest that a potential very close approach at kilometer level or even less might have happened on 8 June near 14-15h UTC,” Langbroek wrote.

“The rapid maneuvering evident from the clear orbital changes in successive elsets from June 8-9 makes it however difficult to validate true distances involved.” Elsets is short for “element sets,” which are used in the field of satellite tracking and orbital mechanics.

While it is unclear if the spaceplane briefly retrieved and re-released Object G, their close approach suggests intentional proximity operations.

Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist and spaceflight activity tracker, told SpaceNews he reached similar conclusions to Langbroek regarding potential RPOs.

This would not be the first such activity for China’s spaceplane. Data from private firm Leolabs suggests that the spaceplane performed at least two and possibly three capture/docking operations with a co-orbiting object during its second flight in 2022-2023.

China has also conducted RPOs in geostationary orbit. Shijian-21 towed a dead satellite to a high graveyard orbit in December 2021. The GEO belt is also the stage for counterspace activities involving the United States, Russia and China. The U.S. military is looking to bolster its ability to detect and track potential threats in GEO.

Secretive spaceplane project
China has maintained strict secrecy around the mission. The country’s space authorities have not released images nor descriptions of the spacecraft. The only official Chinese report on the activity is a short launch report hours after the event.

“During this period, reusable technology verification and space science experiments will be carried out as planned to provide technical support for the peaceful use of space,” the report stated.

The spacecraft is seen as China’s attempt to develop similar capabilities to the X-37B. It is currently on its third mission. Reusable spacecraft represent a significant advancement in space technology, offering the potential for reduced costs and increased frequency of missions.

The initial flight in 2020 lasted two days, while the second mission in 2022 extended to 276 days. Both missions included the deployment of an object while in orbit. The interval between the first and second missions was nearly two years, with the third mission following a seven-month gap.

The reusable spacecraft is intended to work in conjunction with a reusable suborbital first stage. This suborbital craft, which uses vertical takeoff and horizontal landing, was first tested in 2021. A second mission flew in August 2022.

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), which developed the spacecraft, announced plans for a fully reusable, two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) space transportation system before the first launch. In 2022, CASC’s spaceplane project received national funding from the Natural Science Foundation of China.

China’s secretive spaceplane conducts proximity operations with small spacecraft

China’s experimental reusable spaceplane has been using a smaller spacecraft to test proximity operations, potentially even capturing the object.

spacenews.com

 

[skywatcher]

static fire test of three of the seven 130T LOX/RP-1 rocket engine YF-100K for China's super heavy launcher Long March 10 today

Long March 10 is a Chinese super heavy human-rated launch vehicle with a payload capacity of 70t to LEO.

 

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Long March 10

 

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Powered by three 70T methalox engines, CASC completed 12KM VTVL hop test today

 

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Powered by three 70T methalox engines, CASC completed 10KM VTVL hop test today
View attachment 259012

This is a bit surprising.

 

[skywatcher]

This is a bit surprising.

Full version. I love methane

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) conducted a successful vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL) test at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China, on 23 June 2024, at about 05:00 UTC (13:00 local time). The 3.8 m diameter test launch vehicle is equipped with three LongYun 70 reusable liquid oxygen/liquid methane engines (LY-70, ground thrust 70 ton). The test lasted for about six minutes, achieving an altitude of about 12 kilometres. According to official sources, a 75-kilometre VTVL test is scheduled by the end of the year and the first flight of a 4 m diameter reusable launch vehicle is expected in 2025.

 

[skywatcher]

China’s state-owned SAST performs reusable rocket test

SAST conducted China’s highest altitude launch and landing test so far as the country chases reusable rocket capabilities.

spacenews.com

China’s state-owned SAST performs reusable rocket test
Andrew Jones June 24, 2024

HELSINKI — SAST has conducted China’s highest altitude launch and landing test so far as the country chases reusable rocket capabilities.

A 3.8-meter-diameter test article powered by three methane-liquid oxygen engines lifted off from the Gobi Desert June 23, the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) announced.

The test stage achieved an altitude of around 12 kilometers before setting down successfully at a nearby landing area. Landing legs were deployed 50 meters above the ground. The test article did not use moveable fins, and fired its central engine for the duration of the flight.

SAST is a major arm of the country’s main space contractor, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). SAST will follow up with a 70-kilometer-level test utilizing grid fins. The later test is designed to cover the flight profile of the first stage of the rocket. A first orbital flight is planned for 2025.

The rocket would be able to launch up to 6,500 kg of payload to 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), according to earlier reports.

SAST stated plans to develop reusable methalox launchers in 2022. These include a larger, 7.0-meter-diameter version able to launch more than 20,000 kg to 700 km SSO.

Notably, SAST stated it planned to use engines developed by commercial engine maker Jiuzhou Yunjian (JZYJ). It was not stated which engines were used, though earlier releases by JZYJ suggest it provided engines for an earlier, otherwise undisclosed SAST VTVL test. CASC is meanwhile developing the methalox YF-209 engine, stated to be for the commercial market.

China chases reusability
A host of Chinese commercial companies are meanwhile developing their own reusable rockets. Vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL) tests will follow in the coming months. These include higher altitude tests of Landspace’s Zhuque-3 and the Deep Blue Aerospace Nebula-1. The latter launch is expected to be China’s first orbital launch and landing attempt later this year.

The first Tianlong-3 rocket from Space Pioneer is also expected to fly in the coming months. The first stage is planned to be recovered in the future.

The host of new Chinese reusable rockets will be competing to launch satellites for national and public-private megaconstellation plans. The new launch capacity is needed to construct the constellations according to plans and deadlines.

CALT, another major rocket-making CASC entity, is building a reusable rocket for crewed spaceflight. The Long March 10 first test flight is currently expected in 2026. CALT conducted a limited static fire test earlier this month.

CASC is also developing a two-stage-to-orbit reusable spaceplane and a reusable Long March 9 super heavy-lift launcher. The Long March 9 will construct major space infrastructure including the China-led International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).

China’s progress in reusable rocket technology and overall launch capacity are indicative of the country’s growing space capabilities and ambitions. These also pave the way for more cost-effective and sustainable space missions.

Company	Rocket Name	Rocket Type	Key Features/Notes
iSpace	Hyperbola-3	Methane-liquid oxygen	Payload capacity of 13,700 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO); first flight planned for 2025.
Landspace	Zhuque-3	Methalox	Payload capacity up to 21,000 kg to LEO. Stainless steel. first flight planned for 2025.
Galactic Energy	Pallas-1	Kerosene-liquid oxygen	Payload capacity of 8,000 kg to LEO, or 3,000 kg to a 700 km sun-synchronous orbit (SSO).
CAS Space	Kinetica 2	Kerolox	Payload capacity of 12,000 kg to LEO.
Deep Blue Aerospace	Nebula-1	Kerolox	Payload capacity of 1,000 kg to 500 km SSO; 2,000 kg to LEO. First flight planned in late 2024.
Space Pioneer	Tianlong-3	Kerolox	Comparable to Falcon 9 in launch capability; plans for a reusable first stage.
Space Epoch	XZY-1	Methalox	7,000 kg to 1,100 km. Stainless steel. First flight in 2025.
Orienspace	Gravity-2	Kerolox	25,600 kg to LEO. First flight in 2025; plans for a reusable first stage.
CASC	Various	Various	Working on reusable rockets including a new-generation human-rated launcher, spaceplane, SAST methalox rockets, and Long March 9 super heavy-lift launcher.

Non-exhaustive list of planned Chinese reusable rockets (Credit: Andrew Jones/SpaceNews).

China’s state-owned SAST performs reusable rocket test

SAST conducted China’s highest altitude launch and landing test so far as the country chases reusable rocket capabilities.

spacenews.com

 

[skywatcher]

China’s state-owned space company beats private sector to reusable rocket test

A state-owned developer has beaten its privately owned rivals to complete China’s most advanced reusable rocket test – a six-minute display of precision and power that lit up the northwestern Gobi Desert on Sunday.
The Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) said the 10km (6-mile) “hop test” – in which a rocket shoots up, moves sideways and lands – was a “milestone” in the development of reusable rockets in China.

The vertical take-off-vertical landing (VTVL) test “comprehensively verified” several key technologies, including the rocket’s structural integrity, buffer mechanisms and high-precision navigation during landing, it said.

Powered by three engines burning methane and liquid oxygen, the 3.8-metre (12.5ft) diameter test rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre at around 1pm Beijing time, according to state-owned newspaper China Space News.


The rocket reached an altitude of 12km (7.5 miles) before the central engine adjusted its thrust to allow a controlled descent. At 50 metres (about 164ft) above the ground, the rocket’s four landing legs were deployed as it slowed to a precise, soft touchdown on the designated recovery pad.

SAST is part of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, a main contractor for the country’s space programme, and the achievement puts it in front of a number of private companies hoping to carry out the same test on their rockets this year.

Rivals include the Beijing-based start-up LandSpace, whose Zhuque-2 became the world’s first methane-fuelled rocket to reach orbit last year. Hop testing of its stainless steel 3.35-metre (11ft) diameter Zhuque-3 rocket has been postponed due to engine malfunction.

In a statement released after Sunday’s test, SAST said its advancements “paved the way for the maiden flight of our 4-metre (13ft) diameter reusable carrier rocket in 2025”, adding that its next goal is a VTVL test at a level of 70km (43.5 miles).

Seven Yunlong engines – manufactured by leading start-up Jiuzhou Yunjian from Anhui province, eastern China, that is known for its methane-liquid rocket engines – will power the full-sized variant, it said.

Methane, the primary component of natural gas, is more efficient as a rocket fuel, easier to produce and more environmentally friendly than traditional fuels such as refined kerosene.

Other private Chinese companies working on reusable rockets include Space Pioneer, iSpace, Galactic Energy, Deep Blue Aerospace, CAS Space and Orienspace.

In January, LandSpace carried out the first VTVL test for its Zhuque-3 reusable rocket. It reached an altitude of about 350 metres during the 60-second test.

The state-owned China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology is also working on a reusable version of the Long March 10 rocket, which is designed to be recovered using ropes instead of landing legs, with a maiden flight slated for 2026.

 

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Chang'e 6 just returned with 2kg of lunar soil

 

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Chang'e 6 just returned with 2kg of lunar soil View attachment 259167
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Lunar samples

 

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Lunar samples
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Chinese Lunar Exploration Program(CLEP)

Mission	Launch Date	Launch Vehicle	Orbital Insertion Date	Landing Date	Return Date	Notes	Status
Phase 1
Chang'e 1	24 Oct 2007	Long March 3A	7 Nov 2007	1 Mar 2009	-	Lunar orbiter; first Chinese lunar mission.	Success	-
Chang'e 2	1 Oct 2010	Long March 3C	6 Oct 2010	-	-	Lunar orbiter; following lunar orbit mission flew extended mission to 4179 Toutatis.	Success	Success
Phase 2
Chang'e 3	1 Dec 2013	Long March 3B	6 Dec 2013	14 Dec 2013	-	Lunar lander and rover; first Chinese lunar landing, landed in Mare Imbrium with Yutu 1.	Success	Ongoing
Queqiao 1	20 May 2018	Long March 4C	14 Jun 2018	-	-	Relay satellite located at the Earth-Moon L2 point in order to allow communications with Chang'e 4.	Success	Ongoing
Chang'e 4	7 Dec 2018	Long March 3B	12 Dec 2018	3 Jan 2019	-	Lunar lander and rover; first soft landing on the Far side of the Moon, landed in Von Karman crater with Yutu-2.	Success	Ongoing
Phase 3
Chang'e 5-T1	23 Oct 2014	Long March 3C	10 Jan 2015	-	31 Oct 2014	Experimental test flight testing technologies ahead of first Lunar sample return; tested return capsule and lunar orbit autonomous rendezvous techniques and other maneuvers.	Success	Success
Chang'e 5	23 Nov 2020	Long March 5	28 Nov 2020	1 Dec 2020	16 Dec 2020	Lunar orbiter, lander, and sample return; which landed near Mons Rümker and returned 1731g of lunar soil to Earth. The service module made a visit to Lagrange point L1 and also performed a lunar flyby in extended mission.	Success	Ongoing
Phase 4
Queqiao 2	20 Mar 2024	Long March 8	24 Mar 2024	-	-	Lunar Relay satellite to support communications for the upcoming lunar missions, including Chang'e 6, 7 and 8.	Success	Ongoing
Chang'e 6	3 May 2024	Long March 5	8 May 2024	1 Jun 2024	25 June 2024	Lunar orbiter, lander, rover, and sample return; landed at the South Pole–Aitken basin on the far side of the Moon.	Success	—

Chang'e 7	2026	Long March 5	Lunar surface survey	Lunar orbiter, lander, rover, and mini-flying probe; expected to perform in-depth exploration of the lunar south pole to look for resources.
Chang'e 8	2028	Long March 5	Lunar surface survey	Full mission details are currently unknown; will test ISRU and 3D-printing technologies, ahead of future crewed exploration of the Moon.
1st crewed lunar mission	2029-2030	Long March 10	Human landing on lunar surface	2 launches using the Long March 10 to place two astronauts on the lunar surface via the Mengzhou crewed lunar spacecraft and the Lanyue crewed lunar lander.