China's Space Program News Thread
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Re: Chinese Satellites
Dont be so certain that there will be a chinese manned lunar program. Keep in mind the astronomical amount of resources such a enterprise will take.
AFAIK, CZ-5 is the largest rocket that can be built, and be commercially profitable. No way a 100t to LEO can be economically viable. Technically it will be a huge jump: CZ-5 is twice the capacity of CZ-4. The super-heavy rocket will require 4 times the capacity of CZ-5, at least.
And finally what will be the PR gain? IMO, it will take almost 2 decades for them to put a man on the moon. (it wont happen in 10 years, thats for sure). Thats around 60 years after the US did the same. Far more than the 40 years betwen the 1st US astronaut and the 1st chinese taikonaut. There wont be that much to take pride for. Does it merit the costs and risks of such an adventure?
Not to mention the fact that such program doesnt have much of a military value (unless china uses the super-heavy rocket to launch something like polyus...). The lack of military importance is an important factor because PLA runs the chinese space program. And IMO they wont like to support something that wont have much use for them.
Dont be so certain that there will be a chinese manned lunar program. Keep in mind the astronomical amount of resources such a enterprise will take.
AFAIK, CZ-5 is the largest rocket that can be built, and be commercially profitable. No way a 100t to LEO can be economically viable. Technically it will be a huge jump: CZ-5 is twice the capacity of CZ-4. The super-heavy rocket will require 4 times the capacity of CZ-5, at least.
And finally what will be the PR gain? IMO, it will take almost 2 decades for them to put a man on the moon. (it wont happen in 10 years, thats for sure). Thats around 60 years after the US did the same. Far more than the 40 years betwen the 1st US astronaut and the 1st chinese taikonaut. There wont be that much to take pride for. Does it merit the costs and risks of such an adventure?
Not to mention the fact that such program doesnt have much of a military value (unless china uses the super-heavy rocket to launch something like polyus...). The lack of military importance is an important factor because PLA runs the chinese space program. And IMO they wont like to support something that wont have much use for them.
Re: Chinese Satellites
I think a manned lunar mission could become reality around 2025, if the PRC's economy and the various budgets keep growing as it is.
In terms of "propaganda"/pride value, well sure it would've been some 60 years between the US and China, but it would also be 60 years between the first round of human beings and the second round. The PR gain will be massive. Another "we have arrived" moment -- but that's hardly the main motivation for building such a rocket
And if anything, risks today for a manned moon mission would be far less than what the apollo missions encountered.
From what I've read the CNSA and PRC also has ideas for a permanent moon base (not as far fetched as it sounds, doesn't have to be a massive sprawling complex from 2000, space odyssey -- a few modules will do), to prep astronauts for future mars missions and/or mining the moon for resources. Exploration of space and manned missions to mars and beyond is another reason why the heavy launcher should be developed -- we aren't just talking about profits but exploration. The chinese have laid out a roadmap to be world leaders in space within the next few decades -- admit it, if the economy keeps growing, it's going to happen -- and by that point if no one else has the tech and money to explore space, who will?
I think a manned lunar mission could become reality around 2025, if the PRC's economy and the various budgets keep growing as it is.
In terms of "propaganda"/pride value, well sure it would've been some 60 years between the US and China, but it would also be 60 years between the first round of human beings and the second round. The PR gain will be massive. Another "we have arrived" moment -- but that's hardly the main motivation for building such a rocket
And if anything, risks today for a manned moon mission would be far less than what the apollo missions encountered.
From what I've read the CNSA and PRC also has ideas for a permanent moon base (not as far fetched as it sounds, doesn't have to be a massive sprawling complex from 2000, space odyssey -- a few modules will do), to prep astronauts for future mars missions and/or mining the moon for resources. Exploration of space and manned missions to mars and beyond is another reason why the heavy launcher should be developed -- we aren't just talking about profits but exploration. The chinese have laid out a roadmap to be world leaders in space within the next few decades -- admit it, if the economy keeps growing, it's going to happen -- and by that point if no one else has the tech and money to explore space, who will?
Fu Wen Shi
New Member
Re: Chinese Satellites
To tell the truth, i want that China tries everything to be first to reach Mars instead to be second who reaches the moon.
Nothing else, even as China having a bigger economy, would symbolize China as the new superpower that has matched/surpassed the US.
If the Americans, or even Russians or Europeans are first, i would fell it as a big defeat for China and well, a big disappointment for me.
I really wish China to be the first on Mars.
To tell the truth, i want that China tries everything to be first to reach Mars instead to be second who reaches the moon.
Nothing else, even as China having a bigger economy, would symbolize China as the new superpower that has matched/surpassed the US.
If the Americans, or even Russians or Europeans are first, i would fell it as a big defeat for China and well, a big disappointment for me.
I really wish China to be the first on Mars.
AssassinsMace
Lieutenant General
Re: Chinese Satellites
China is still at its infancy in space. China is probably going to have to start with the moon with constant missions to and from and have a space station to test endurance before they can go to Mars.
China is still at its infancy in space. China is probably going to have to start with the moon with constant missions to and from and have a space station to test endurance before they can go to Mars.
Re: Chinese Satellites
I read that with currently technology a mission to mars would take 1 year. The problem of providing oxygen, food, waste disposal etc. for astronauts would be huge.
A lunar base sounds plausible, one can just think of it as a space station, but fixed on the moon. Supplying will be more costly though.
I read that with currently technology a mission to mars would take 1 year. The problem of providing oxygen, food, waste disposal etc. for astronauts would be huge.
A lunar base sounds plausible, one can just think of it as a space station, but fixed on the moon. Supplying will be more costly though.
Re: Chinese Satellites
From the proposals xyz posted over on CDF, the idea is initial manned missions could be made by some three launches of modified LM-5 rockets and have the various modules rendezvous in earth orbit like the cancelled US constellation program, before blasting off to the moon, landing and back. Teams of 2-3 people per mission.
The 130 ton LEO rocket would be used for setting up a more permanent presence on the moon, with 5-6 people per mission or cargo.
A 130 ton LEO rocket is not unfeasible either, the US is looking at a "SLS" rocket with a near identical mission statement to replace the cancelled Ares rocket.
A manned mars mission will only come after a prolonged chinese presence in space. It really doesn't matter if China isn't the first to get to mars -- but if trends continue, later this century once we're old or dead china may get to be the first to reach another, more distant planet.
From the proposals xyz posted over on CDF, the idea is initial manned missions could be made by some three launches of modified LM-5 rockets and have the various modules rendezvous in earth orbit like the cancelled US constellation program, before blasting off to the moon, landing and back. Teams of 2-3 people per mission.
The 130 ton LEO rocket would be used for setting up a more permanent presence on the moon, with 5-6 people per mission or cargo.
A 130 ton LEO rocket is not unfeasible either, the US is looking at a "SLS" rocket with a near identical mission statement to replace the cancelled Ares rocket.
A manned mars mission will only come after a prolonged chinese presence in space. It really doesn't matter if China isn't the first to get to mars -- but if trends continue, later this century once we're old or dead china may get to be the first to reach another, more distant planet.
Baibar of Jalat
Junior Member
Re: Chinese Satellites
The argument China should not go to moon because US has gone there before is laughable. If you cant conquer the moon, then its impossible to go to Mars or further. It would be great if small settlements can be created on moon.
The argument China should not go to moon because US has gone there before is laughable. If you cant conquer the moon, then its impossible to go to Mars or further. It would be great if small settlements can be created on moon.
escobar
Brigadier
Re: Chinese Satellites
It is not because they 're doing initial research that the politburo will give his agreement to the manned lunar program.
Frankly Apart prideness i don't know the usefulness of of a manned lunar program for china.
It is not because they 're doing initial research that the politburo will give his agreement to the manned lunar program.
Frankly Apart prideness i don't know the usefulness of of a manned lunar program for china.
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