Chinese Space Program

[TheKutKu]

Is not the current plan an Apollo style landing split between two Long March 10 rockets? By Apollo style I mean not in number and size of rockets, but rather in the size of the capsule and lander to be delivered. The Artemis plan in contrast is more to build to a permanent presence with a space station, reusable lander, etc. The latter will take far more time to completely achieve and is spread across four delivery platforms.

Here's a rough size comparison between Mengzhou and the other lunar capsules (Orion, 7K-LOK and Apollo CSM), the capsule proper is 4.5m wide at its base, while the service module is 5m at its widest (about the same width as the CZ-10). The capsule is ~26-27t, comparable to Orion.

The Lanyue lander proper is about the same size as the LM, afaik. But it only does the last part of the descent and the ascent to Lunar orbit, the Lunar Insertion and most of the descent is done by the Crasher stage.

 

[Josh_TN]

Interesting that it seems to reverse the geometry of the Apollo lander; it looks like the docking collar is on the bottom.

 

[publiusr]

Pre-Saturn V, there was a similar EOR configuration looked at?

China's is LOR a mix of American and Soviet approaches.

What could SLS/FH allow?

 

[cattalonX]

Is not the current plan an Apollo style landing split between two Long March 10 rockets? By Apollo style I mean not in number and size of rockets, but rather in the size of the capsule and lander to be delivered. The Artemis plan in contrast is more to build to a permanent presence with a space station, reusable lander, etc. The latter will take far more time to completely achieve and is spread across four delivery platforms.

Because even Long March 10 is enough to launch other things, such as a pressurized lunar rover and a lunar orbital station

 

[Josh_TN]

Because even Long March 10 is enough to launch other things, such as a pressurized lunar rover and a lunar orbital station
View attachment 734729

I had not heard of either project. Is there a projected time frame for either? Presumably a couple landings would occur first?

 

[aonestudio]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1813533851651891284

View: https://x.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1813533851651891284

 

[Josh_TN]

That looks a little familiar…

 

[cattalonX]

I had not heard of either project. Is there a projected time frame for either? Presumably a couple landings would occur first?

There is a variant of the Long March 10 with a 6.5-meter diameter fairing
and a six-ton pressurized lunar rover is already being tested

 

[bobbymike]

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/jul/17/inside-ring-chinas-military-forces-are-rapidly-bui/

 

[luritie]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1814330115033018439

View: https://x.com/LionnetPierre/status/1814330115033018439

 

[Josh_TN]

View attachment 734948

https://twitter.com/x/status/1814330115033018439

View: https://x.com/LionnetPierre/status/1814330115033018439

It will be even more interesting to chart 2024/25. The NRO just orbited 42 satellites, with likely ~80 more by year end, and the SDA will launch ~170 by thi time next year.

 

[publiusr]

China looking to Baikonur just got a boost:

Scientists Detect Record-Breaking Methane Leak in Kazakhstan: The Largest Ever Documented

Scientists have documented the largest methane leak ever in Kazakhstan's Karaturun East field, releasing 131,000 tonnes over 205 days. Their study used satellite data and advanced methods for detection and quantification. An international team of scientists, led by Dr. Luis Guanter, a professor a

scitechdaily.com

They could have methalox fuel and a pad for a song

 

[snne]

China looking to Baikonur just got a boost:

Scientists Detect Record-Breaking Methane Leak in Kazakhstan: The Largest Ever Documented

Scientists have documented the largest methane leak ever in Kazakhstan's Karaturun East field, releasing 131,000 tonnes over 205 days. Their study used satellite data and advanced methods for detection and quantification. An international team of scientists, led by Dr. Luis Guanter, a professor a

scitechdaily.com

They could have methalox fuel and a pad for a song

Hainan is much better suited for launches, there's literally no use case for Baikonur.

Also, this news has nothing to do with thw Chinese Space Program.