China's Space Program Thread II

[by78]

YF-102V engine
- Vacuum thrust: 710KN
- Vacuum specific impulse: 330s
- Thrust adjustment: 55%-100%
- Capable of high-altitude re-ignition
- Based on the YF-102, but has a new 3D-printed injector design

The second test stand has also successfully completed its first engine run. With both test stands having been successfully tested and verified, the Tongchuan Test Center has achieved initial operating capability.

The YF-102V engine has been tested for the first time at the brand new Tongchuan Test Center, with the test lasting eight seconds. This marks the 10th test performed by Tongchuan .

 

[by78]

An artist's impression of the dedicated launchpad for Tianlong-3 rocket that Tianbing Technology (a.k.a. Space Pioneer) plans to build at Jiuquan Launch Center. This would be the second location capable of launching Tianlong-3, in addition to the launchpad no. 2 at the Hainan Spaceport for Commercial Launches.

 

[by78]

Latest images of launchpad no. 1 of the Hainan Commercial Spaceport. One of the lightning diversion towers looks finished, with more being built.

Water and gas storage tanks have been installed at the launchpad no. 1 of the Hainan Spaceport for Commercial Launches. All tanks are 27m long and have a diameter of 4m. The water tank weighs 81 tons, and the gas storage tank weighs 75 tons.

 

[anzha]

Some findings from Zhurhong:

Martian dunes indicative of wind regime shift in line with end of ice age

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[anzha]

An interesting rocket fuel paper:

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[by78]

LandSpace's Zhuque-2 rocket have been transported to launchpad ahead of its scheduled launch on 12th of July.

 

[by78]

An article talks about a certain dual-use (i.e. military and civilian) vessel/platform currently under construction. It mentions that it has an integrated electric propulsion system. Some Weibo users speculate that the vessel is a new Yuanwang space tracking ship.

 

[Red tsunami]

LandSpace's Zhuque-2 rocket have been transported to launchpad ahead of its scheduled launch on 12th of July.

Official video link：

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[siegecrossbow]

An image taken a month before the Mars rover went into hibernation. You can see the significant dust accumulation all over the vehicle.

Why didn’t they shake off the dust prior to going into hibernation? I think it has the ability to tilt the solar panels?

 

[pevade]

Why didn’t they shake off the dust prior to going into hibernation? I think it has the ability to tilt the solar panels?

Martian dust is "sticky" because it is slightly electrostatic