Teh One Who Knocks
07-06-2018, 09:59 AM
By Chris Ciaccia | Fox News
https://i.imgur.com/S55CjgZ.jpg
Private space companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin have captured headlines recently as they head for the stars. But as the Trump administration focuses on a "space force" and continuing America's "unparalleled space leadership," China has unveiled plans to build a powerful rocket that would rival anything NASA and the private industry have to offer.
By 2030, China's Long March-9 rocket will be able to carry 140 tons into low-Earth orbit, Long Lehao, a senior official from the Chinese Academy of Engineering told the Xinhua news agency. The news was first reported by the Daily Mail.
By comparison, SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, which launched successfully in February, is able to lift a payload of more than 64 tons (141,000 pounds) into orbit. The Falcon Heavy also contains 27 engines, giving the rocket a thrust of more than 5 million pounds, the equivalent of 18 Boeing 747 aircraft.
NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), slated to have its first flight in 2020, will ultimately have a payload of 130 tons, according to a 2014 document created by the U.S. government space agency. The SLS is "designed for deep space missions," including robotic missions to the Moon, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter, NASA said in a separate document.
The Long March-9 rocket, which would have a core stage measuring 33 feet in diameter and four boosters, is still under development, according to a press release detailing China's rocket ambitions.
According to Xinhua, Long said the Long March-9 rocket could be used for similar missions to those SpaceX and NASA are either currently working on or have in development, such as deep space exploration or manned lunar landings.
The news release added that China is putting "billions" into its military-run space program, but did not reveal the exact amount, as it seeks to compete with the U.S. and Russia.
It also said that China hopes to have a crewed space station in the next four years and hopes to send astronauts to the moon "in the near future," with ultimate plans for a base on the lunar surface.
https://i.imgur.com/S55CjgZ.jpg
Private space companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin have captured headlines recently as they head for the stars. But as the Trump administration focuses on a "space force" and continuing America's "unparalleled space leadership," China has unveiled plans to build a powerful rocket that would rival anything NASA and the private industry have to offer.
By 2030, China's Long March-9 rocket will be able to carry 140 tons into low-Earth orbit, Long Lehao, a senior official from the Chinese Academy of Engineering told the Xinhua news agency. The news was first reported by the Daily Mail.
By comparison, SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, which launched successfully in February, is able to lift a payload of more than 64 tons (141,000 pounds) into orbit. The Falcon Heavy also contains 27 engines, giving the rocket a thrust of more than 5 million pounds, the equivalent of 18 Boeing 747 aircraft.
NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), slated to have its first flight in 2020, will ultimately have a payload of 130 tons, according to a 2014 document created by the U.S. government space agency. The SLS is "designed for deep space missions," including robotic missions to the Moon, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter, NASA said in a separate document.
The Long March-9 rocket, which would have a core stage measuring 33 feet in diameter and four boosters, is still under development, according to a press release detailing China's rocket ambitions.
According to Xinhua, Long said the Long March-9 rocket could be used for similar missions to those SpaceX and NASA are either currently working on or have in development, such as deep space exploration or manned lunar landings.
The news release added that China is putting "billions" into its military-run space program, but did not reveal the exact amount, as it seeks to compete with the U.S. and Russia.
It also said that China hopes to have a crewed space station in the next four years and hopes to send astronauts to the moon "in the near future," with ultimate plans for a base on the lunar surface.