Big boost for China's space ambitions

BEIJING, China -- China's aspirations of putting a man into space and building a space station have moved a step closer to reality with the government setting aside funds for high-tech ventures.

A budget has been set aside for the development of new carrier rockets over the next five years, according to state media reports.

The country wants to achieve manned space flights within the next five to 10 years.

According to the China Daily the new rocket projects were included in the 2001-2005 five-year economic plan which is due to be approved this week by the National People's Congress, China's parliament.

"Now China has a matured technology to develop propellants from liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen and refined kerosine, which produce powerful propulsion and leave no pollutants or poison," said Li Fuchang, a Chinese government rocket expert.

The new series of launch vehicles would build on the technology of the current Long March series.

Since the famously high profile explosion of the maiden Long March rocket launch in 1996, the Great Wall Company has made amends with 23 successful subsequent launches.

Consumer demand

Shen Xinsun, vice chairman of the Science and Technology Commission of the China Aerospace and Technology Corporation, said the current series of Long March rockets could not meet China's growing space needs.

"China needs to upgrade its launch rockets to meet the ever-increasing demands for future spacecraft launches, including for space stations and satellites," said the paper.

China's Shenzhou 2 lifts off in January for the second test of a Chinese spacecraft in 14 months

It said the Long March series was capable of putting 9.2 tonnes into near earth orbits -- where manned spacecraft need to reach -- and 5.1 tonnes into the much higher geostationary transfer orbits for satellites.

The paper said the new generation of rockets would be able to put up to 25 tonnes into near earth orbits and 14 tonnes into the higher orbits.

"Right now they are able to basically meet the demands of customers. But with the development of China's economy and the world's commercial launch market, we need carrier rockets with non-toxic, high-performance and low-cost qualities," said Shen.

The report did not say how much the project would cost.

China made a second unmanned test flight of its Shenzou II spacecraft in January, but there has been speculation it encountered problems on re-entry into the earth's atmosphere.

The government has yet to publicize a mission report on the six-day flight that was launched on January 9 and which orbited the earth 108 times.

The news blackout has contrasted with the public fanfare for both the launch of the craft and the in-depth reports of the return to earth of Shenzhou I in November 1999.

A space center official said China's space program would focus on peaceful exploration, including the possibility of building a fourth space launch site for international commercial launches in Hainan.

Smooth sailing for China's unmanned spacecraft
January 15, 2001

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