I’m heartened to see that the Chinese are going to waste their money on a heavy-lift vehicle. That will slow them down considerably.
I do have to say, though, that this is interesting:
China is also researching how to use the boosters and the first two stages of a launch vehicle repeatedly, which could help reduce the launch cost, he said.
It could indeed. Too bad NASA (and Congress) aren’t smart enough to see the value in reusability.
Oh, and this is amusing:
The Long March 5 rocket will more than triple Chinese rockets’ carrying capacity in outer space. Using non-toxic and pollution-free propellant, the 60-meter-long rocket will be equipped with four propellers, with each measuring 3.35 meters in diameter, he said.
I suspect something got lost in translation.
Saw a story linked someplace else that said the Chinese wanted to use their Long March 5 or 7 for manned lunar missions. They wont be waiting for their SHLV but will instead use launchers on par with what we currently use.
“with four propellers, with each measuring 3.35 meters in diameter,”
Yeah most likely a translation garble:
I think that in this case “propellers” means “things that propel” (such as rocket engines) as opposed to the 4 bladed types on P-51 Mustangs and Spitfires.
Four boosters (strapons) would be a more likely translation.
Hmmm. Has anyone checked to see if the rotary rocket demonstrator is still at Mojave?
Shouldn’t it be called a Payload Cult?
Something got lost in translation indeed, but the worst mistake had nothing to do with props to space.
NASA is dutifully promoting SLS in accord with Congress’s wishes. China sees the promotion and thinks there must be a good reason, not seeing that the only justification is US pork. So they decide they must do something similar. Haven’t we seen this before with other space programs aping NASA… but blind to the actual factors that control NASA?
I’d rather pay attention to what’s going on in Mojave
“I suspect something got lost in translation.”
Yes, I think he actually meant 33.5 meters in diameter.
What….?
researching how to use the boosters and the first two stages of a launch vehicle repeatedly… could help reduce the launch cost
I slightly disagree with this. Research alone isn’t enough.
http://www.citizensinspace.org/2012/03/chinese-heavy-lifter/
A quad Roton perhaps?
OMG,
This will give the Congressional porkers yet another excuse to push SLS at the expense of Commercial Crew.
It does not matter how big a Chinese booster is, you will always hunger for a larger one.
We cannot allow China to take the lead in propeller-driven spacecraft!
We have to close the gaps.
I dont see high value in reusability itself. I see high value in high flight rate and low overhead costs. Reusability is but one method to achieve this.