China starts to develop hybrid power spacecraft, aiming to make practical flight by 2030

[GS Zhou]

August 1st, 2016, Beijing, China --- China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) today confirms that it has started to develop China's first hybrid power spacecraft.

According to CASC, the hybrid power spacecraft consists of three engine types: turbine engine (for spacecraft taking off), ramjet engine (for acceleration in the atmosphere), and rocket engine (for entering into the orbit).

The spacecraft is scheduled to make practical flight by 2030.

 

[Akasa]

A far more sensible investment would be into a reusable orbiter à la Space Shuttle or a two-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle with a reusable upper stage (think Falcon 9).

 

[Beast]

A far more sensible investment would be into a reusable orbiter à la Space Shuttle or a two-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle with a reusable upper stage (think Falcon 9).

If I am not wrong, this thing can be a strategic weapon. It need not enter enemy airspace in earth atmosphere. Fly across in space and enter thru atmosphere.

 

[Anders]

Length of 80 meters
Horizontal takeoff, horizontal landing, reusable

China:My Conquest is the Sea of Stars

 

[cirr]

A far more sensible investment would be into a reusable orbiter à la Space Shuttle or a two-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle with a reusable upper stage (think Falcon 9).

What if one wants to conduct bombing missions or launch hypersonic missiles at ground target?

The combination of hypersonic spacecraft and hypersonic cruise missile sounds good, does it not?

Being able to take off and land horizontally is key for the spacecraft.

China begins developing hybrid spacecraft

CCTV.com

07-31-2016 15:24 BJT

http://english.cctv.com/2016/07/31/VIDEqJge9PRmZkxY3R4K9uXj160731.shtml

China has launched a program to develop hybrid spacecraft. The vehicle is expected to make space travel much cheaper if it proves successful.

According to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the new vehicle will be powered by multiple engines in different phases of the flight into orbit.

These engines include turbine, ramjet and rocket. The core technique is using the air's oxygen as an oxidiser to create power.

Researchers say the hybrid launch vehicle will be mainly used for expeditions of between dozens to hundreds of kilometers from the earth.

"We have made a long-term plan of taking about three to five years to master the key technologies, and significantly improve the capability of the spacecraft during the application," said Zhang Yong, China Aerospace Science & Technology Corp..

"We aim to implement the technology in suborbital flight and orbital insertion by 2030."

 

[qwerrty]

it's combined cycle engine

sabre engine

 

[cirr]

Project 921-706

Ok, the spacecraft in question is dubbed Project 706

 

[Wolfwind]

Come on mang hurry up, make even better stuff we need stuff that's mega super duper high tech