China tests new heavy-lift rocket engine

[beijingwalker]

China tests new heavy-lift rocket engine

Science & Space
July 16, 2013
By: Dennis Bodzash

The Chinese government has just announced that it has successfully tested its new heavy-lift rocket engine: the Long March 5. the hope: the new rocket will be the first in a new generation of space vehicles that will, literally, take the Chinese to new heights in space exploration, as in a full-size space station.

So, what of the Long March 5?

Speaking on the test, Yuan Jie, deputy general manager of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. (CASC), said that the Long March 5's purpose is to lift China's first full-scale space station into orbit. Jie later added that the engine has the potential to lift a payload of 18 metric tons.

According to Chinese officials, plans are to launch a second, mini Tiangong 2 space station into orbit sometime in 2015, with the 2018 goal of launching the first pieces of the country's first full-size cosmic outpost. The ultimate goal: have the station fully assembled by 2020. As for the Long March 5, it is scheduled to make its first flight in 2015.

It is an undeniable fact that China is the world's fastest growing economy, having just overtaken Japan for the world's number 2 spot. For some, the question is not 'if' the Chinese will surpass the United States, but only 'when.' However, while the Chinese are making undeniable gains here on Earth, the sudden advancement of the nation's space program has come as a bit of a shock. The problem: Chinese intents in space have already raised a few eyebrows.

A few years ago, China announced a new missile that is capable of shooting down a satellite. Naturally, knowing that the Chinese have developed such a weapon (undoubtedly at great cost) leads many to ask what they plan on using it for. Also, 5 years ago, the Chinese announced plans to go to the Moon, with the original target date being 2020. Just last year, China launched its first mini space station. Needless to say, the Chinese have big plans for their space program, whose purpose remains, in the eyes of some, ambiguous.

So, why care at all?

Believe it or not, what goes on in space can have huge ramifications for what happens here on Earth. Think about it: do you have a cell phone? Satellite TV? GPS in your car? If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, space has a direct impact on your life in a way that you probably took for granted. Now, while daily conveniences are nice for individuals, space can have a huge strategic importance for military planners.

For these reasons, plus many on Earth like a myriad of human rights abuses and a dictatorial, communist government, have some politicians are now openly questioning the intent of the Chinese space program. In fact, Congress recently held a hearing in Washington D.C. to debate this issue.

Result? Disagreement.

For those members who viewed China suspiciously, there were plenty of reasons to do so, namely the satellite killing missile, China's lack of openness about goals, and the country's political climate on Earth, which is hardly what most would consider ideal. On the other hand, those who see China as a potential ally in space also have their key points, namely China's rapidly growing economy, which could make the nation a leader in the commercialization of space and thus an ideal business partner. Also, as China becomes more of a presence in space, there is hope that it will realize that antagonizing other space-faring nations is a bad idea and that cooperation is better than conflict.

In the end, the only thing known for certain is that China is, literally, on the ascent. As for its motives, those remain in question.

China tests new heavy-lift rocket engine - National Space news | Examiner.com

 

[PeaceGen]

Congrats, Chinese. Looking forward to your expeditions into the solar system, too