Nope, they don't. And probably won't be able to achieve anywhere near the same capability as humans in foreseeable future.
They're infinitely cheaper, simpler, and less risky, that's granted.
China's Space Program News Thread
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They're infinitely cheaper, simpler, and less risky, that's granted.
by78
General
Screen captures from a Chinese TV report on the ongoing development of the Long March 9 superheavy carrier rocket for Mars and deep space exploration. LM-9 has a diameter of 9 meters and first flight is scheduled for 2030.
Does anyone have a link to the video, preferably on Youtube?
This first image shows part of an engine:
A size comparison of various LM family members. LM-9 dwarfs LM-5.
Does anyone have a link to the video, preferably on Youtube?
This first image shows part of an engine:
A size comparison of various LM family members. LM-9 dwarfs LM-5.
What a waste of money. Anything larger than LM-5 is a waste.
China should instead focus on cost reductions and rocket reuse.
You can do on-orbit assembly of whatever you need to make a Moon or Mars mission.
Those ultra-expensive Saturn V like launchers are pointless.
The Soviets made Energia and it was relegated to the trash heap of history.
At best they continued the RD-171 rocket engine design. The rest was pure waste.
Of the Saturn V rocket only the RL-10 engine was retained into use.
Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos' massive rockets (TSTO Starship, New Armstrong) are pointless also.
Even if they are reusable no one needs that kind of payload capability. Or will for the next decades.
Just look at Korolev and Chelomei's late designs for a manned Mars mission.
They didn't use chemical propulsion for manned Mars missions. They used nuclear or solar-electric propulsion.
This means the required payload mass is way lower than with chemical rockets.
China should instead focus on cost reductions and rocket reuse.
You can do on-orbit assembly of whatever you need to make a Moon or Mars mission.
Those ultra-expensive Saturn V like launchers are pointless.
The Soviets made Energia and it was relegated to the trash heap of history.
At best they continued the RD-171 rocket engine design. The rest was pure waste.
Of the Saturn V rocket only the RL-10 engine was retained into use.
Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos' massive rockets (TSTO Starship, New Armstrong) are pointless also.
Even if they are reusable no one needs that kind of payload capability. Or will for the next decades.
Just look at Korolev and Chelomei's late designs for a manned Mars mission.
They didn't use chemical propulsion for manned Mars missions. They used nuclear or solar-electric propulsion.
This means the required payload mass is way lower than with chemical rockets.
Last edited:
Skywatcher
Captain
Huh, so "complete demonstration and verification" of the Tengyun two stage space plane by 2025, are they going to start flying the Tengyun (or at least a scaled down demonstrator still capable of orbital insertion) by 2025?
by78
General
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