New Long March rockets and commercially-developed models are poised for their inaugural flights in 2025, significantly expanding China’s space launch capabilities.
China is preparing to introduce a range of new launch vehicles, enhancing its access to space. These include both reusable and expendable designs, all geared towards regular and cost-effective space missions. They will vie for contracts to deploy satellites for China’s major megaconstellation projects, Thousand Sails and Guowang, and support space station cargo missions, along with other commercial ventures. This development is expected to bolster China’s launch rate and overall space reach.
Among the first to take flight is the Long March 8A, a variant of the existing Long March 8, featuring a more powerful second stage that increases its payload capacity from 5,000 kilograms to 7,000 kg for a 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit. Developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), this rocket could launch as early as January 19, as per recent marine navigation warnings. In preparation, CASC has enhanced its facilities to accelerate the production of YF-100 engines, necessary for the first stage of Long March 8 and other kerosene rockets.
The Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) is advancing the Long March 12A rocket, anticipating a vertical takeoff and landing test between January 14-16 near Shandong province. The 12A model, unlike its standard, expendable predecessor, will feature reusability, possibly integrating methane-liquid oxygen engines developed commercially. In November, the original Long March 12 showcased the YF-100K engines that would eventually power China’s lunar crewed missions.
Commercial launch firm Landspace is gearing up for the first orbital launch of its Zhuque-3 rocket following vertical takeoff and landing tests in 2024. The Zhuque-3, constructed from stainless steel, measures 76.6 meters in length and is powered by nine Tianque-12B engines. The rocket is designed to hold a payload capacity up to 21,000 kilograms when expendable, reducing to 18,300 kg with downrange recovery of the first stage. This might set the stage for the Haolong reusable cargo spacecraft launch in 2026.
Space Pioneer, another commercial company, aims to launch Tianlong-3 after overcoming a static fire test incident in 2024, where an unsecured rocket stage ascended unexpectedly. With a diameter of 3.8 meters and a takeoff mass of 590 tons, Tianlong-3 can carry up to 17,000 kg to low Earth orbit, benchmarking against SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
Galactic Energy plans to debut its Pallas-1 rocket, designed for first-stage reusability, capable of delivering 8,000 kg to a 200-kilometer orbit. An expansion variant with three-core stages is expected to increase its capacity to 30,000 kg to LEO in the future.
The company is also preparing Ceres-2, an upgraded variant slated for the first half of 2025, offering a payload capacity of 1,600 kg to 500-km LEO and 1,300 kg to 500-km SSO.
Deep Blue Aerospace is set to introduce the Nebula-1, marking plans for recovery and reuse, sporting nine Thunder-R1 engines on the first stage. An improved version will double its payload capacity to 8,000 kilograms to LEO.
CAS Space, a spin-off from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, will unveil its Kinetica-2 rocket in late 2025, a 53-meter tall vehicle set to carry 12,000 kg to LEO. Selected for launching the Qingzhou cargo spacecraft, CAS Space is focusing on making it reusable.
Finally, iSpace, having experienced setbacks with Hyperbola-1, targets the debut of its Hyperbola-3 rocket. Skipping the Hyperbola-2, the 69-meter Hyperbola-3 will endeavor to carry 8,500 kg to LEO. It highlights the growing competition among various firms striving for domestic contracts in the burgeoning Chinese space industry.
China’s strategic advancements in rocket technology with a spectrum of state-led and commercial initiatives are set to strengthen its position in the global space industry. The emphasis on reusability and cost-efficiency underscores its commitment to advancing space exploration capabilities, positioning China as a formidable player in space endeavors.
Source: Spacenews
