Chinese rocket scientists have initiated research programs designed
to develop a variety of powerful, non-toxic and pollution-free
carrier rockets which will be capable of putting heavy satellites
and moon exploration devices into orbit.
Long Lehao, chief commander of the launch vehicle of the Chinese Academy of
Launch Vehicle Technology, said Thursday that scientists in
China have begun research on key technology for the planned carrier
rockets.
The gray-haired Long, chairman of the Sciences and Technology
Council of the academy, said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua
that the plan to develop two types of engine systems for the
rockets had won approval from the central government.
With regard to the core technology for the rockets, Long, a member
of the Chinese Academy of
Engineering, said that China has the capability to develop a
next-generation launch vehicle.
"If the entire research and development project is approved by the
Chinese government next year, it will take us only five to six
years to develop the new rockets."
"Hopefully, the rockets will be ready for commercial launch," said
the scientists.
Based on China's existing Long March launch vehicle technology, the
planned rockets encompass 14 varieties and have a launch capability
of between 1.2 and 25 tons in low earth orbit, and 1.8 to 14 tons
in geostationary transfer orbit, he said.
"Liquid hydrogen and oxygen, which are non-toxic and
environmentally-friendly," he acknowledged, "will be used as rocket
propellant."
The research and development programs, if launched completely, will
help China to catch up with developed nations in the launch vehicle
field and improve its competitive edge in the international
commercial launch market, he said.
Moreover, Long said, they are also critical for China's future
space programs, including a proposed manned mission to the
Moon.
China's existing launch vehicle is not powerful enough to send
astronauts to the moon, he added.
In
the next decade, Europe, Japan and the United States will provide a
range of launch services with next generation launch vehicles that
are pollution-free, user-friendly, powerful, highly-reliable and
with a powerful launch capability, yet easy to operate.
China have to keep pace with the trend in this regard to maintain
its status as one of the world's major aerospace powers, he
said.
Long also renewed his appeal for the building of a launch site for
the next generation rockets on China's southernmost island province
of Hainan.
China's existing launch sites, namely Jiuquan in northwestern Gansu
province, Xichang in southwestern Sichuan province and Taiyuan in
north China's Shanxi province, are all located in the country's
interior areas.
Their geographic locations, nevertheless, lead to a few safety and
transportation problems as well as losses in launch capacity due to
their high latitudes, he explained.
Long said that a launch site on the tropical island of Hainan will
surely put an end to these defects and provide a much more ideal
venue for cooperation and exchange with other nations.
(Xinhua News Agency April 4, 2003)