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Chinese
Propose Future Space Developments
The Aerospace China
magazine published a summary of plans for China's next generation of
launch vehicles. The new family of launchers will rely on a modular
design based on three models of core stages (2.25 m, 3.35 m and 5 m
in  diameter)
fitted with either LOX/kerosene or LOX/LH2 engines. The heavy-lift
configuration would be able to launch 25 metric tons to low-Earth
orbit, using a 5-m (possibly cryogenic) core stage with two 3.35-m
(possibly hydrocarbon?) strap-on boosters. With an upper stage, this
version could boost up to 13 metric tons to geostationary transfer
orbit. A medium-lift version would be based on a 3.35-m core stage
with 2.25-m boosters. A small launch vehicle would use the 2.25-m
diameter module as its core stage to loft 1.2 metric tons to
low-Earth orbit. The rockets would be available in about six years
if the necessary funding is provided. It has been proposed that the
new vehicles might be launched from a new rocket launch center in
Hainan.
China
plans to build several more of its Shenzhou spacecraft over the next
five years. Several more test flights are planned to prior to using
the spacecraft for a human spaceflight attempt. China Aerospace
Science & Technology Corporation (CASTC) will build the
spacecraft.
China plans to
develop and launch nearly 30 satellites between now and 2006. The
satellites will be for applications such as telecommunications,
navigation, weather forecasting, natural resources and oceanic
development, and environmental and disaster monitoring. CASTC will
be responsible for the development of most of the satellites.
Shanghai
Aerospace Administration will launch Feng Yun 2C in 2003, to take
over operations from Feng Yun 2B, which will be decommissioned.
Preparations are under way for the construction of Feng Yun 3, which
is expected to be in use by 2004. The Feng Yun 3 series would be the
second-generation of Chinese polar-orbiting meteorological
satellites. Meanwhile, Shanghai Aerospace Administration has begun
feasibility studies on the design and launch of the Feng Yun 4
meteorological satellite which would be an updated version of the
currently operating geostationary Feng Yun 2 series satellites.
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