It will take another decade before
CZ-9 (100-130 ton LEO payload) can be deployed
More update news on China's development of existing or coming projects in another interview with
叶培建 Mr Ye Peijian, (post #53) and
张小虹 Ms Zhang Xiaohong:
天宮二號明年發射 航天人對“玉兔”故障表歉意_新聞_鉅亨網
Summary:
The Chang'er 3 lunar lander and Yutu rover team of scientists and engineers express their regret over Yutu's glitches during the last "dormancy" and "wake-up" period. Yutu is experiencing some malfunctions but the team is still working hard to restore the rover to its prime conditions
1.
Tiangong 2
Launch date: Before end of 2015
Key technologies / activities:
- TG2 is a bigger module than TG 1
- Refueling techniques (propellants)
- Performance of more manned docking and supplies replenishment exercises
- All the above enable a longer stay in space for our Taikongnauts
- Tiangong 2 will be China's largest skylab until the completion of our Space Station building on or before 2020 - the year when the ISS retires. By then China's Space Station will be the world's only station functioning in space.
2.
CZ-5 and CZ-7 rockets
- debute launching of both rockets in Wenchang Satellite Launching Center in Hainan
- the rockets will be used for launching various capsules for our space station and the spacecraft for the 3rd phase of our Lunar project
- date of completion of testing of the rockets by end of 2014
- deployment in 2015
3.
Success rate
As of end of 2013, China rockets have completed 188 missions with a success rate of
over 95%
4.
Other activities in 2014
a. debute launching of CZ-3C (modified Type 2 rocket) in the second half of 2014
b. the rockets will send (1) Chang'er 5 experimental module and (2) China's space shuttle into space separately in the year
Chang'er 5's experimental module will be used to test China spacecraft's return-to-earth capabilities
This news is covered by @
cirr's posting earlier here:
Preparation for Chang'e-5 launch on schedule
China will launch a space shuttle this year. The vehicle will carry out multiple missions of
a. cleaning up spatial debris
b. perfecting the techniques of orbital transfer
c. preparation for future missions to Moon and Mars
d. various other testing on new material, spatial techniques and experiments
Coverage of this news also by @
cirr earlier here:
China to launch first "space shuttle bus" this year
Yuan Zheng-1 Upper Stage Set for Launch in 2014
Looking forward to another exciting year of China's space explorations!
Good Luck!