China's Space Program Thread II

M

Michael90

Junior Member
Registered Member
AndrewJ said:
(Just in) Landspace released magnificent full footages of ZQ-3 these days' transfer & static fire test. :cool:

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
Click to expand...
Cool images. However, I will prefer if Landspace keeps a low profile like Orienspace with their powerful gravity rocket, only to be shown when they are just about to launch or even when they have just launched . Creating too much hype before launch event can be good or bad depending on the result of the launch. Better to reduce our expectations before launch event. lol Don’t wanna be heartbroken.
Anyway wishing Landspace all the best and a successful launch since this rocket will be key in their viability as a private space company and crucial for meeting China’s upcoming Leo constellation launches
 
A

AndrewJ

Junior Member
Registered Member
Incredible goals for Chang'e-7 lunar probe: Found water-ice at moon (south pole) for the world's 1st time.

The mission is critical for human's later-on moon colony. It'll be the most sophisticated robotic lunar probe humanity has ever launched. Current R&D is smoothly proceed, and the probe is set to launch next August. If mission successful, would be by far China's GREATEST contribution to the humankind's multi-planetary process. :eek:

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

The mission will focus on studying the environment and searching for water ice near the moon’s south pole – a vital resource for future crewed space exploration because of its potential to be converted into drinking water, breathable oxygen and even rocket fuel.
The Chang’e-7 spacecraft is the most complex ever built for China’s lunar programme, Tang told state broadcaster CCTV on Saturday. It would consist of an orbiter, lander, rover, hopper and a relay satellite, she said.
Wu Weiren, chief designer of the country’s lunar exploration programme, said Chang’e-7 was likely to touch down “at a spot with more than 100 days of continuous sunlight” – ideal for long-term operations.
After the landing, the hopper will dive into the deep lunar craters where it will conduct on-site analysis and test for water, Wu told CCTV.
“The mission is both challenging and honourable. If we can confirm the presence of water on the moon, that would be one of the greatest contributions to mankind,” he said.
“Many of these challenges are firsts for humanity and the risks are indeed high,” he said. “Even if no other country has done it before, we’re still setting new scientific goals for ourselves.”
Temperatures at the landing site, which sits above 85 degrees south latitude, will be extremely low, reaching highs of around minus 110 degrees Celsius (minus 166 degrees Fahrenheit) and potentially dropping below minus 230 inside the shadowed craters.
Meanwhile, the terrain is exceptionally rugged, which means the spacecraft must achieve a very precise landing in harsh conditions. “If Chang’e-4’s landing area was a tennis court, Chang’e-7’s is a ping-pong table,” Yu said.
Lighting and communication would also be far more difficult than in previous missions, he added. The sun near the lunar pole never rises more than a few degrees above the horizon, casting long shadows that will complicate navigation and power generation.
According to a 2024 paper in National Science Review, Chang’e-7’s preferred landing site lies in the region of Shackleton crater, a deep impact basin at the moon’s south pole where sunlight and shadow coexist in extreme contrast.
Click to expand...

Seems the hopper will jump from sunshine places to dark holes and locate water, then jump back? :oops:

1761202398863.png
 
Last edited:
H

huemens

Junior Member
Registered Member
In a significant development for space sustainability, CASC's Long March 8A rocket is set to gain the ability to deorbit its spent upper stage starting next year, made by the newly certified YF-75DB engine, which recently passed a series of fire tests. The engine's key upgrade, a new torch ignition system, allows for the multiple restarts needed to conduct a deorbit burn after payload deployment.
Click to expand...
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1981148523283566936
 
00CuriousObserver

00CuriousObserver

Junior Member
Registered Member
AndrewJ said:
(Just in) Landspace released magnificent full footages of ZQ-3 these days' transfer, assemble & static fire test. :cool:

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
Click to expand...

A nice screenshot from the video

s8zCMdl.png
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top