Sister blog of Physicists of the Caribbean in which I babble about non-astronomy stuff, because everyone needs a hobby

Thursday, 17 May 2018

China's plans for a re-usable rocket

The LM-8 is a medium-sized space launch vehicle, capable of carrying 7.7 tons to low-earth orbit. It shares the same first stage core as the larger Long March 7 (which is China's newest man-rated rocket), but compared to the Long March 7, it has only two K2 liquid rocket boosters. Once the LM-8's second stage separates to enter orbit, the LM-8's first stage will descend back to the ground by carefully burning remaining fuel to maneuver onto the landing pad, with the aid of grid fins. In the last moments of descent, landing struts will unfold from the bottom of the rocket to ensure a smooth touchdown. The boosters will separate and parachute back to the ground.

The tech LM-8 shares with the Long March 7 could mean that the LM-7—and other larger Chinese space launch rockets—could be retrofitted with resusablity. Additionally, CASC is planning to test grid fins on a Long March 4B rocket next year to refine the technology. Test launch of a reusable, smaller Long March 6 rocket is planned for 2020. Success in these tests will fit into CASC's plan to make all its Long March rockets—from the super heavy "moon rocket" Long March 9 to the Long March 6—reusable by 2035.

https://www.popsci.com/chinas-2020-plan-for-reusable-space-launch?con=TrueAnthem&dom=fb&lnk=TA&src=SOC&utm_campaign=&utm_content=5afb516b4b73850007a2285a&utm_medium=&utm_source=

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