China's Space Program Thread II

[by78]

Has China done any work on inflatable or expandable station modules?

My colleague once mentioned about inflatable hatch, couldn't find anything about it from anywhere else though

China is working on inflatable heat shields but I have not heard about inflatable space station modules.
That would be a good technology to invest in I agree.

China is actively explorting/working on inflatable modules. Apologies as I don't have time to translate this paper.

 

[by78]

(Continued from above...)

 

[by78]

CASC has conducted its first test of a hydrogen fueled Continuous Detonation Rocket Engine (OHCDRE)

【氢氧连续爆轰火箭式发动机完成首次热试验考核】近日，我所低温液体推进技术实验室新型动力研究团队在一〇一所北京云岗试验区完成了氢氧连续爆轰火箭式发动机（OHCDRE）首次试验，试验形成稳定自持的单波爆轰波，爆轰波传播速度达2200m/s，燃烧效率相对传统爆燃燃烧大幅提升，试验达到预期目标。本次试验为研究团队在新型低温液体动力领域的进一步探索与尝试，并初步摸索了氢氧爆轰波的自持工作边界和高室压条件下氢氧爆轰可行性，为后续工程化应用奠定了基础。

研究团队与清华大学、北京大学、南京理工大学等多所高校团队紧密结合，对掺混结构、喷管型面、点火时序等开展了大量仿真研究，先后解决了设计、工艺、试验等关键技术，本次试验成功标志着氢氧连续爆轰火箭式发动机取得了重要进展。后续，研究团队将进一步开展多种喷注方案和多种燃烧室方案组合下的连续爆轰研究，继续探索氢氧连续爆轰发动机的潜力，推动连续爆轰发动机的工程化应用。

氢氧连续爆轰火箭式发动机（Oxyhydrogen Continuous Detonation Rocket Engine, OHCDRE）是一种新型动力，该发动机可充分发挥氢氧推进剂高比冲性能的燃料优势，连续爆轰燃烧是一种增压燃烧，推进剂从燃烧室头部喷入，并快速掺混，利用预爆管或火花塞等方式引爆推进剂，在燃烧室中形成一道或多道沿周向持续旋转的爆轰波；后续的推进剂喷入燃烧室后，在连续爆轰波的作用下转变为高温高压的燃烧产物，并沿轴向膨胀加速，经喷管高速喷出产生推力。爆轰波传播速度可达每秒两三千米，相比传统等压燃烧，可在更短时间内消耗掉更多的推进剂，燃烧室尺寸可大大减小，爆轰增压燃烧特性可实现发动机比冲和推重比性能的大幅度提升。（北京航天动力研究所）

[Hydrogen-oxygen continuous detonation rocket engine completed the first thermal test assessment] Recently, the new power research team of our low-temperature liquid propulsion technology laboratory completed the hydrogen-oxygen continuous detonation rocket engine ( OHCDRE) first test, the test formed a stable and self-sustaining single-wave detonation wave, the propagation speed of the detonation wave reached 2200m/s, the combustion efficiency was greatly improved compared with the traditional deflagration combustion, and the test achieved the expected goal. This test is a further exploration and attempt by the research team in the field of new low-temperature liquid power, and has initially explored the self-sustaining working boundary of hydrogen-oxygen detonation waves and the feasibility of hydrogen-oxygen detonation under high room pressure conditions, laying a solid foundation for subsequent engineering applications. foundation.

The research team closely cooperates with Tsinghua University, Peking University, Nanjing University of Science and Technology and other university teams to carry out a large number of simulation studies on the blending structure, nozzle profile, ignition timing, etc., and has successively solved key technologies such as design, process, and test. , The success of this test marks an important progress in the hydrogen-oxygen continuous detonation rocket engine. In the future, the research team will further carry out continuous detonation research under the combination of various injection schemes and various combustion chamber schemes, continue to explore the potential of hydrogen-oxygen continuous detonation engines, and promote the engineering application of continuous detonation engines.

Oxyhydrogen Continuous Detonation Rocket Engine (OHCDRE) is a new type of power, which can give full play to the fuel advantages of hydrogen-oxygen propellant with high specific impulse performance. Continuous detonation combustion is a kind of supercharged combustion , the propellant is injected from the head of the combustion chamber and mixed quickly, and the propellant is detonated by means of a pre-explosion tube or a spark plug, forming one or more detonation waves continuously rotating in the circumferential direction in the combustion chamber; the subsequent propulsion After the agent is injected into the combustion chamber, it is transformed into high-temperature and high-pressure combustion products under the action of continuous detonation waves, and expands and accelerates along the axial direction, and is ejected at high speed through the nozzle to generate thrust. The detonation wave propagation speed can reach two to three kilometers per second. Compared with traditional isobaric combustion, it can consume more propellant in a shorter time, the size of the combustion chamber can be greatly reduced, and the detonation supercharged combustion characteristics can be improved. Realize the substantial improvement of engine specific impulse and thrust-to-weight ratio performance. (Beijing Institute of Aerospace Propulsion)

Hydrogen-oxygen continuous detonation rocket engine is a new type of power. This engine can give full play to the fuel advantages of hydrogen-oxygen propellant with high specific impulse performance. Continuous detonation combustion is a kind of supercharged combustion. The propellant is injected from the head of the combustion chamber The propellant is detonated by means of pre-explosion tube or spark plug, and one or more detonation waves continuously rotating along the circumference are formed in the combustion chamber; after the subsequent propellant is injected into the combustion chamber, the continuous Under the action of the detonation wave, it is transformed into a high-temperature and high-pressure combustion product, which expands and accelerates along the axial direction, and is ejected at high speed through the nozzle to generate thrust. The detonation wave propagation speed can reach two to three kilometers per second. Compared with traditional isobaric combustion, it can consume more propellant in a shorter time, the size of the combustion chamber can be greatly reduced, and the detonation supercharged combustion characteristics can be improved. Achieve a substantial improvement in engine specific impulse and thrust-to-weight ratio performance...

 

[by78]

The construction of Zhongke Aerospace Industrialization Base in Guanzhou has been completed. Zhongke Aerospace will hold an inauguration ceremony for this new facility on January 9, 2023.

 

[sunnymaxi]

Images of an academic paper, which I don't have access to. I don't have time to translate this, so someone please give it a go.

Here is the translation.

Develop a new generation of manned launch vehicles and heavy launch vehicles to achieve leapfrog development in carrying capacity and meet the needs of major national projects.

The new generation of manned launch vehicle is a highly reliable and safe manned rocket newly developed for launching China's new generation of manned spacecraft and lunar lander according to the long-term development plan of China's manned spaceflight project. Increased from 8.2t to 27t, filling the gap in China's manned moon landing capability. According to the development plan of China's launch vehicle type spectrum, heavy-duty launch vehicles are the core symbol of the next generation of launch vehicles, supporting China's lunar orbit carrying capacity to reach 50 tons, filling the gap in the low-earth orbit carrying capacity of 100 tons, achieving leapfrog development, and meeting deep space exploration Medium and long-term development needs such as large-scale transportation in near-earth space.

It is estimated that by 2035, the number of launches in China will exceed 100 times, and the mass of launches into orbit will reach more than 1,000t. In particular, the launch missions of medium and low orbit networks will show explosive growth, and there is an urgent need to improve the capabilities, efficiency and reliability of launch vehicles in service. . Develop a general-purpose hydrogen-oxygen final stage, adopt the YF-75D engine, adapt to the large-size fairing, optimize and upgrade the new generation of medium-sized rockets, and improve the carrying capacity of the SSO orbit and the GTO orbit. Focusing on larger-scale and higher-frequency space activities in the future, the construction of a space transportation system with a complete system, reasonable distribution, and excellent performance is mainly divided into the following three steps:

Step 1, develop a vertical take-off and landing-based repetitive Use launch vehicles. In order to significantly reduce the cost of entering and exiting space, improve product turnover efficiency, support high-frequency launches of mainstream loads for military and civilian businesses and global extremely fast transportation services, on the basis of a new generation of launch vehicles, develop a sub-stage vertical take-off and landing launch vehicle with a carrying capacity covering new Generation launch vehicle.

The second step is to develop a lift-type flyback reusable vehicle. The lift-type rocket-powered carrier adopts the vertical take-off/horizontal landing method, and uses the liquid oxygen hydrocarbon engine as the main power. After flight verification, the technology is relatively mature, and it has the conditions for engineering application in a short period of time. The lift-type reusable carrier is used in combination with the vertical take-off and landing reusable first-stage rocket to achieve two-stage complete reusability, and initially has the engineering application capability of space-to-ground transportation.

The 3rd step, develop combined power aircraft. Taking advantage of the characteristics of combined power in different airspaces and speed domains and the advantages of fast and convenient access to space, explore and verify technical fields such as overall optimization, horizontal re-entry GNC technology, and combined power mode switching. It is expected that it will have engineering application conditions in the middle of the 21st century. . In order to improve the comprehensive performance of the propulsion system, different propulsion systems are organically combined to make the aircraft have better working performance in the entire flight range. Wide-envelope flight, large-scale fuselage and complex aerodynamic layout are typical characteristics of combined power aerospace vehicles. Therefore, in addition to power system design, in order to realize the engineering development of combined power aerospace vehicles, it is necessary to break through a series of key technologies such as aerodynamic layout, airframe/propulsion integration, thermal protection and management, guidance, control, and ground measurement and control. .

Source: "Thoughts on the Development of the Next Generation Space Transportation System" Wang Xiaojun China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology

 

[H2O]

The construction of Zhongke Aerospace Industrialization Base in Guanzhou has been completed. Zhongke Aerospace will hold an inauguration ceremony for this new facility on January 9, 2023.

Interesting company logo. It looks like someone flipping "The Bird" (if you're right handed). Yes, I understand it's suppose to represent the different stages of a rocket.

 

[Dante80]

Is that the rocket equation printed on the roof of the building at the center?

 

[by78]

Here is the translation.

Develop a new generation of manned launch vehicles and heavy launch vehicles to achieve leapfrog development in carrying capacity and meet the needs of major national projects.

The new generation of manned launch vehicle is a highly reliable and safe manned rocket newly developed for launching China's new generation of manned spacecraft and lunar lander according to the long-term development plan of China's manned spaceflight project. Increased from 8.2t to 27t, filling the gap in China's manned moon landing capability. According to the development plan of China's launch vehicle type spectrum, heavy-duty launch vehicles are the core symbol of the next generation of launch vehicles, supporting China's lunar orbit carrying capacity to reach 50 tons, filling the gap in the low-earth orbit carrying capacity of 100 tons, achieving leapfrog development, and meeting deep space exploration Medium and long-term development needs such as large-scale transportation in near-earth space.

It is estimated that by 2035, the number of launches in China will exceed 100 times, and the mass of launches into orbit will reach more than 1,000t. In particular, the launch missions of medium and low orbit networks will show explosive growth, and there is an urgent need to improve the capabilities, efficiency and reliability of launch vehicles in service. . Develop a general-purpose hydrogen-oxygen final stage, adopt the YF-75D engine, adapt to the large-size fairing, optimize and upgrade the new generation of medium-sized rockets, and improve the carrying capacity of the SSO orbit and the GTO orbit. Focusing on larger-scale and higher-frequency space activities in the future, the construction of a space transportation system with a complete system, reasonable distribution, and excellent performance is mainly divided into the following three steps:

Step 1, develop a vertical take-off and landing-based repetitive Use launch vehicles. In order to significantly reduce the cost of entering and exiting space, improve product turnover efficiency, support high-frequency launches of mainstream loads for military and civilian businesses and global extremely fast transportation services, on the basis of a new generation of launch vehicles, develop a sub-stage vertical take-off and landing launch vehicle with a carrying capacity covering new Generation launch vehicle.

The second step is to develop a lift-type flyback reusable vehicle. The lift-type rocket-powered carrier adopts the vertical take-off/horizontal landing method, and uses the liquid oxygen hydrocarbon engine as the main power. After flight verification, the technology is relatively mature, and it has the conditions for engineering application in a short period of time. The lift-type reusable carrier is used in combination with the vertical take-off and landing reusable first-stage rocket to achieve two-stage complete reusability, and initially has the engineering application capability of space-to-ground transportation.

The 3rd step, develop combined power aircraft. Taking advantage of the characteristics of combined power in different airspaces and speed domains and the advantages of fast and convenient access to space, explore and verify technical fields such as overall optimization, horizontal re-entry GNC technology, and combined power mode switching. It is expected that it will have engineering application conditions in the middle of the 21st century. . In order to improve the comprehensive performance of the propulsion system, different propulsion systems are organically combined to make the aircraft have better working performance in the entire flight range. Wide-envelope flight, large-scale fuselage and complex aerodynamic layout are typical characteristics of combined power aerospace vehicles. Therefore, in addition to power system design, in order to realize the engineering development of combined power aerospace vehicles, it is necessary to break through a series of key technologies such as aerodynamic layout, airframe/propulsion integration, thermal protection and management, guidance, control, and ground measurement and control. .

Source: "Thoughts on the Development of the Next Generation Space Transportation System" Wang Xiaojun China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology

Thank you!

 

[ZeEa5KPul]

Is that the rocket equation printed on the roof of the building at the center?

Yes. Well spotted.

 

[tacoburger]

Why is China still using hypergolic rockets? They're shrinking in total percentage of rocket launches every year, but at this rate, they're using to get a reusable 1st stage rocket in service before they're completely retired. Hypergolics are toxic, a major health hazard and also costs a lot more due to the increased safely requirements. It saves costs and manpower if they completely stopped production of the hypergolic rockets and focused entirely on their modern liquid fuelled rockets. Splitting up production lines like that isn't efficient, especially not for an obsolete technology.