China to develop SSTO carrier for repeated use
( 2003-07-22 13:55) (People'd Daily)
China is going to develop
spaceflight carrier for repeated use, said Zhang Qingwei, general manager of
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), and eventually to
bring out the quick, mobile, cheep and credible SSTO (single-stage-to-orbit)
vehicle, that can be used repeatedly when a breakthrough is scored in the key
technology for SSTO carrier.
In the latest issue of China Space News Mr. Zhang discloses the information
in his article. He says, China will carry out its research of space vehicles
with new conception for the purpose of deep space exploration, interstellar
manned flight and the establishment of space stations.
The general manager expresses that the launching of pint-sized carrier
rockets increase year by year according to the international statistics of the
launching of carrier vehicles. So, while researching the repeatedly-used
vehicles, China will actively promote the research for small carrier rockets and
try to establish its place in the new field as soon as possible.
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation is China's largest rocket
research institution. The CZ series rockets, developed by China Academy of
Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) and Shanghai Academy of Space Technology (SAST)
under CASC, have been launched over 70 times and the overall technology and
performance have reached the first rate of the world.
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