23 December 2022
China is also developing a next-generation manned launch vehicle that will meet the long-term strategic need for manned lunar exploration. It will be a 3 1/2 stage launcher. It will be capable of sending payloads of 25 t directly into LTO, or payloads of 70 t into near-Earth orbit, and it's expected to make a maiden flight by 2027. A new model of super heavy-lift carrier rocket - the Long March-9 - is also under development. It will be a 10-m-diameter, 3-stage mega rocket with a height of 110 m, capable of sending payloads of 150 t into LEO, 50 t into LTO and 35 t to the Mars transfer trajectory. The first flight of the Long March-9 vehicle could be expected around 2030.
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23 December 2022
GalaxySpace is accelerating the research and development of flat-panel stackable satellites, for rapid construction of a satellite internet constellation. GalaxySpace said the design enables dozens of satellites to be stacked on top of each other like tablet personal computers and be launched at the same time on a single rocket. It can greatly improve the use efficiency of a rocket and shorten the construction period of a constellation.
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22 December 2022
2022 has been a (very) eventful year for the Chinese space programmes. In his last video for the year 2022, Jean Deville reviews the main highlights of Chinese space activities over the last 12 months. Jean is discussing launches, the progress on reusability, constellations, the completion of the Chinese Space Station, and more.
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19 December 2022
2nd-generation space tracking ship Yuanwang 3 departed from its port on 18 December for new space monitoring missions. The crew members will spend the New Year holiday and Spring Festival during this voyage. Before setting sail, they had examined facilities, received training, and replenished supplies to ensure the success of the missions.
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20 December 2022
The Macao Student Science Satellite 1 was released from the cargo bay of the Tianzhou 5 cargo spacecraft on 18 December. The 12 kg mini satellite is tasked with helping students in Macao to learn about Earth imaging, radio communication and other spaceflight activities, according to the CMSA. The agency said that to make the best use of the carrying capacity of Tianzhou crafts, scientists have used them to transport several payloads of scientific equipment and mini satellites to orbit. It said future Tianzhou missions will also offer educational opportunities to researchers at home and abroad.
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16 December 2022
On 16 December, at 14:17 BJT, the Shiyan 21 satellite was launched by a CZ-11 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre. Shiyan means "experiment" in Chinese. The newly launched Shiyan satellite will be used for in-orbit verification of new space technologies.
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