“It’s no surprise that the Chinese are extremely interested in our space plane. We’re extremely interested in theirs,” he said. “Because it is a capability; the ability to put something in orbit, do some things, and bring it home and take a look at the results is powerful. And so these are two of the most watched objects on orbit while they’re on orbit. It’s probably no coincidence that they’re trying to match us in timing and sequence of this.”
China's Space Program Thread II
- Thread starter Blitzo
- Start date
“It’s no surprise that the Chinese are extremely interested in our space plane. We’re extremely interested in theirs,” he said. “Because it is a capability; the ability to put something in orbit, do some things, and bring it home and take a look at the results is powerful. And so these are two of the most watched objects on orbit while they’re on orbit. It’s probably no coincidence that they’re trying to match us in timing and sequence of this.”
by78
General
An OrienSpace Gravity-1 rocket being assembled. Maiden launch is next month.
OrienSpace has successfully completed a launch rehearsal in preparation for the maiden flight of the Gravity-1 launch vehicle. The actual rocket was loaded onto the launch barge during the rehearsal.
Last edited:
by78
General
(Continued from above...)
More from his presentation. The maiden launch of Tianglong-3 is again confirmed for June of 2024. If successful, two more launches will take place in September and November, respectively. Tianlong-3 Heavy is expected to launch in 2026, to be followed by Tianlong-3M VTHL manned intercontinental transport in 2028.
More from his presentation. The maiden launch of Tianglong-3 is again confirmed for June of 2024. If successful, two more launches will take place in September and November, respectively. Tianlong-3 Heavy is expected to launch in 2026, to be followed by Tianlong-3M VTHL manned intercontinental transport in 2028.
Fairing 4.2m and 5.2m, fuselage 3.8m. I got the kind of feeling that Tianbing is inhereting CASC 8th acadamy's work, see 2021 broshure from 8th academy. This is supposed to be the competitor to CZ-8 which is aiming at commercial launching market. 8th academy also worked on a CZ-5 or CZ-10 alternative using same components.(Continued from above...)
More from his presentation. The maiden launch of Tianglong-3 is again confirmed for June of 2024. If successful, two more launches will take place in September and November, respectively. Tianlong-3 Heavy is expected to launch in 2026, to be followed by Tianlong-3M VTHL manned intercontinental transport in 2028.
Also in 2021, 800 factory of 8th acadamy made the 1st 3.8m tank.
For a new company (2019) to quickly launch a totally new medium sized rocket in 2024, I don't think they start everything from scratch. I believe that after loosing the competion to CZ-8 within CASC, 8th academy is converting its investment and knowhow through commericial company. Very likely that 8th academy would act like supplier and manufacturer behind the scene. I think CASC and CASIC are acting as suppliers behind many commercial companies id nor moar, in area of manufacturing.
Here is another example. This engine Honglong-1 designed by a professor and NWPU, CZ-6 deputy chief designer, CZ-6 engine (special YF-100 variant) designer. Now he is the funder of this company.
Last edited:
The CEO of Space Pionner was a former chief engineer of the CALT or the 1st acadamy. He stayed in LandSpace for a while and quit to start his own company. So don't be surprise that their products would be similiar with the national team's.Fairing 4.2m and 5.2m, fuselage 3.8m. I got the kind of feeling that Tianbing is inhereting CASC 8th acadamy's work, see 2021 broshure from 8th academy. This is supposed to be the competitor to CZ-8 which is aiming at commercial launching market. 8th academy also worked on a CZ-5 or CZ-10 alternative using same components.
View attachment 122652
Also in 2021, 800 factory of 8th acadamy made the 1st 3.8m tank.
View attachment 122653
For a new company (2019) to quickly launch a totally new medium sized rocket in 2024, I don't think they start everything from scratch. I believe that after loosing the competion to CZ-8 within CASC, 8th academy is converting its investment and knowhow through commericial company. Very likely that 8th academy would act like supplier and manufacturer behind the scene. I think CASC and CASIC are acting as suppliers behind many commercial companies id nor moar, in area of manufacturing.
Here is another example. This engine Honglong-1 designed by a professor and NWPU, CZ-6 deputy chief designer, CZ-6 engine (special YF-100 variant) designer. Now he is the funder of this company.
However, Space Pionner is developing rockets times faster than the national team , even faster than Elon's timetable.
To be honest, I am still skeptical that the TL-3 will launch at June 2024. Let's wait and see.
It is not surprisely faster than national team if national team is their manufacturers as I said in the post. The fuselage, the tank are already there two years ago by 800 factory. The only thing different from national team is the engine which is probably running test already. So 2024 isn't more ambitious than anyone else. Also, the founder himself is still an employee of NWPU, his pattent of engins belong to NWPU who supplies engineers to CASC as well. In a way, this commercial company is a national team. Of course Tianbing can be
faster than SpaceX because SpaceX did not have what Tianbing has today.
This is why I never use the label "private" on Chinse space companies, but "commercial" instead. If you check the Chinese language news, all these space companies are called "民营" not private "私人". "民营" means it is not operated by the state, but does not say anything of the investment structure, owership and technical IP possession. State could be the leading stakeholder but still "民营". Blanketly calling every company other than CASC/CASIC private is going to blind people to understand why some of them are "exceptionally" competent as if tree grow out of sea. Another controversial is 中科宇航 (CAS space), it is owned by CAS a state institution just like CASC, but it is called "民营", it would be ridiculous to call it private.
Last edited: