China successfully tests power system for largest space rocket
China successfully tested the power system (engines) of its stated to be the largest space launch vehicle viz. Long March-5 carrier.
In the test engines of the rocket were successfully fired on the ground. This power system will be used in China’s ambitious Chang’e-5 lunar mission of 2017.
Key facts
- Long March-5 has the carrying capacity twice of the payload compared to other present carriers of China.
- It has payload capacity of 25 tonnes to low Earth orbits and 14 tonnes to geostationary transfer orbit. Thus, greatly increasing China’s ability to enter space with higher payload.
- The launch vehicle uses non-toxic and non-polluting liquefied propellant with high trust generating capacity.
- It will play important role in the final chapter of China’s ambition of building manned space stations and 3 step current program of orbiting, landing and returning from lunar mission.
About Long March rocket family
It should be noted that since 1970s, the Long March rocket family of China has completed more than 200 missions. China’s first satellite, Dong Fang Hong (the East is Red)-1 was successfully put into Earth orbit by Long March-1 on 24 April 1970 (after one failed attempt in November 1969).
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Month: Current Affairs - August, 2015