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Guowang (satellite internet)
Main article: Guowang (Satellite Internet)
2024
Chinese solid-state rocket explodes after launch
At the end of December 2024, the Chinese company CAS Space failed during the test launch of the Kinetica-1 launch vehicle, which was destroyed by the security system three seconds after launch due to a malfunction of the third stage engine. Read more here.
5 main areas of China's space research until 2050
On October 15, 2024, China unveiled a national program for the development of space science, which defines the main tasks for the period until 2050. In total, five key scientific topics are envisaged, including 17 priority areas.
According to Xinhua, the program was prepared by the PRC Academy of Sciences, the Chinese National Space Administration (CNSA) and the Office of the Chinese Manned Space Program (CMSA). The document sets out the goals for the development of Chinese space science. The five main themes include:
- Study of the origin and evolution of the Universe;
- Search for habitable planets;
- Ripples of space-time (detection of medium and low-frequency gravitational waves and primitive gravitational waves);
- Biological and physical sciences in space (identification of the laws of movement of matter and life in space);
- Study of the Sun-Earth panorama (studies of the Sun, Earth and the heliosphere to detect physical processes and laws governing complex interactions in the Sun-Earth system).
The program will be executed in three stages. As part of the first phase, which will last until 2027, China will focus on the operation of the space station, the implementation of the manned lunar exploration project and the fourth stage of the lunar exploration program, as well as the planetary exploration project. During this period, from five to eight scientific missions of space satellites will be approved. The second stage, designed for 2028-2035, involves the completion of the construction of an international lunar research station. During this period, about 15 scientific missions of spacecraft will also be carried out. In the third phase, which runs from 2036 to 2050, China is expected to organize more than 30 space science missions.[1]
China's first reusable rocket crashes during tests
On September 22, 2024, the private Chinese aerospace company Deep Blue Aerospace tested its reusable Nebula-1 rocket. In the last stage of the flight, the onboard systems crashed, and the rocket crashed, crashing to the ground. Read more here
China launches first batch of Starlink rival satellites
On August 6, 2024, China successfully launched the first batch of satellites into orbit as part of the Thousand Sails project. It involves the formation of a mega-communications group that will compete with Starlink. On the basis of the new satellite platform, the PRC plans to organize global high-speed Internet access. Read more here
First non-state cosmodrome launched in China
On June 30, 2024, Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch (HICAL) announced the commissioning of China's first spaceport for international commercial launches. The site is located in the city of Wenchang on the coast of Hainan province in the south of the country. Read more here
China successfully launched the first domestic reusable rocket
On June 23, 2024, the Shanghai Academy of Space Technology (SAST) announced the successful launch of the first domestic reusable rocket. This achievement marks a new milestone in the history of the development of the space industry of the PRC.
SAST is part of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the main contractor for the country's space program. China is a major player in the global space arena, and in the future expects to become the "dominant space power." Therefore, the development of reusable missiles is of great importance.
It is reported that the new rocket has a diameter of 3.8 m. It is equipped with three variable thrust engines running on liquid oxygen and methane. The design includes four folding landing supports with a special system of shock absorbers, which provide the possibility of vertical landing. They open at an altitude of 50 meters from the surface of the earth, providing a soft landing.
During the first launch, the rocket launched from the Jiuquan cosmodrome on the edge of the Badyn-Jaran desert. She reached an altitude of about 12 km, after which she made a controlled descent. The goal of the program was a comprehensive check of the design and systems of the rocket, including structural strength, shock absorbing mechanisms and high-precision navigation during landing. In a statement, SAST noted that the successful first launch "paved the way for the flight of a reusable launch vehicle with a diameter of 4 meters in 2025." It is assumed that the rocket will reach an altitude of about 70 km, after which it will return to the ground. The ultimate goal is to provide a carrier equipped with seven methane engines, which is a more efficient, readily available and environmentally friendly rocket fuel compared to traditional fuels.[2]
Collection of samples by the Chang'e-6 probe on the far side of the Moon in the South Pole Basin and their delivery to Earth
On May 2, 2024, the Chinese lunar probe Chang'e-6 successfully landed on the far side of the Moon in the South Pole Basin.
Chang'e-6 "will try to be the first to collect samples from the far side of the moon and deliver them to Earth. This mission will be the second for China after the landing of the Chang'e-4 spacecraft in 2019. By 2030, the PRC plans to land people on the moon for scientific research.
On June 25, 2024, Chang'e-6 returned to Earth after a historic journey to the far side of the moon. The device collected samples.
Alibaba agreed to deliver packages on missiles
At the end of March 2024, it became known that the online platform Taobao, part of the Alibaba Group, plans to send parcels to customers around the world using reusable missiles. For this, the media of the startup Space Epoch will be used. Read more here.
China has developed technology for refueling space satellites
On March 18, 2024, it became known that the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) had developed technology for refueling military and civilian spacecraft directly in orbit. In particular, we are talking about the creation of the so-called "fuel tanker" located in geosynchronous near-earth orbit.
According to SpaceNews, the PLA pays strategic attention to expanding its logistics capabilities in orbit and integrates commercial enterprises into the space sector. The policy could have "potential implications for the norms of international space operations." In addition, it is expected that the achievements of the PRC will encourage the US Space Force to take measures to develop similar systems.
Since 2018, the PLA has been developing specialized software for training military satellite operators in the procedure of refueling in space. Software is also intended for modeling the space environment. China is increasingly attracted to the creation of space technologies by commercial structures. At the same time, the Ministry of Science and Technology of the PRC included orbital maintenance in its development plans in 2016.
 | Thanks to greater clarity in the PLA's requirements for satellite logistics, the Chinese Communist Party has approved the entry into the arena of new commercial players who will provide not only technology, but also the basis for forming international requirements, the publication says. |  |
In general, the issues of refueling satellites in orbit and removing space debris have been discussed in the PLA materials since 2013. This suggests that China has been developing appropriate technologies for at least a decade (as of early 2024). At the same time, as noted, China's achievements in orbital maintenance for the most part went unnoticed.[3]
China launches satellite for communication between Earth and the moon
On March 20, 2024, China successfully launched the Queqiao-2 spacecraft (Queqiao-2). This satellite will have to perform the functions of a repeater to provide communication between the Earth and the moon for future space missions. Read more here.
Chinese company launches world's most powerful solid fuel rocket on first attempt
On January 11, 2024, Chinesestartup OrienSpace formed in 2020, it launched the world's most powerful solid fuel rocket, Gravity-1. A successful launch was made on the first attempt, which is an important achievement for the commercial space sector. PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA More. here
China launched an astronomical observatory into orbit
On January 9, 2024, China successfully launched the Long March 2C (Changzheng-2C) rocket. The payload was the Einstein Observatory, designed to study X-rays in outer space. Read more here.
2023
Russia will take part in the Chinese lunar project "Chang'e-7"
On December 25, 2023 China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) , it announced that the equipment of the Chang'e-7 automatic interplanetary station, created as part of the PRC's comprehensive research program, Moon would include Russian equipment. In particular, a device called "Dust Monitoring of the Moon," developed in. Institute of Space Research (IKI) RAS More details. here
Chinese company first in the world successfully launched satellites on a rocket powered by methane and liquid oxygen
The Chinese company Landspace was the first in the world to successfully launch satellites on a rocket powered by methane and liquid oxygen. This happened on December 8, 2023. Read more here.
Chinese company unveils laser satellite data system at 10 Gbps
In mid-October 2023, the Chinese company Chang Guang Satellite Technology (CGST) introduced a high-speed space-to-earth laser communication system. The platform provides the ability to transfer data between the satellite and ground equipment at speeds up to 10 Gbps. Read more here.
China has presented a new generation spacecraft. It will send astronauts to the moon
On August 31, 2023, the China Manned Space Flight Agency (CMSA) presented a project for a new generation spacecraft, as well as a lander to be used in lunar missions. Read more here.
Private Chinese rocket Ceres-1 successfully launched from an offshore platform - it launched 4 satellites into space
On September 5, 2023, a four-stage commercial rocket of the Ceres-1 light class, created by the Chinese company Galactic Energy, first successfully launched from an offshore platform. Read more here.
Third place in the number of landings on the moon and approaches to it - 8 times
China launched a satellite into orbit to test Internet technologies
On July 9, 2023, China successfully launched the Long March 2C (Changzheng-2C) rocket. The payload was a spacecraft for testing new generation Internet technologies. Read more here.
China has created a state-owned company to develop space tourism
In mid-June 2023, China created the state-owned Center for the Joint Development of Space Transportation and the Use of Outer Space. Thus, the country's authorities decided to develop space tourism. Read more here.
China has set a record for launching satellites on a single rocket. 41 vehicles delivered to orbit
In mid-June 2023, China sent 41 satellites into orbit to replenish the world's largest constellation of high-resolution Earth observation satellites. This is a new Chinese record for the number of satellites launched into orbit at one time, and the country also brought the number of satellites orbiting Jilin-1 to 108.
The launch took place on June 14, 2023, two minutes after departure from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern China, the Long March 4D launch vehicle reached an altitude of 500 km and launched satellites, state news agency Xinhua reported. It is noted that this was the 476th flight for the Long March series of missiles.
From the initial solar-synchronous orbit, the last batch of satellites joined the existing 72 Jilin-1 satellites to provide spatial resolution surveys of more than 75 cm to provide services from land exploration to the construction of smart urban buildings.
According to the PRC government, the authorities expect that in the second stage of construction by 2025 there will be a total of 300 satellites in orbit, which will operate as an all-weather space monitoring network, providing daily global shooting with high resolution.
Most of the satellites launched on June 14, 2023 were Gaofen satellites 06A the Jilin-1 family (fourth generation Gaofen), which were officially approved by the PRC authorities, only in 2022. 06A weighs only 22 kg and costs $561 thousand per unit.
High-resolution images from the Jilin-1 satellite were widely used by Chinese authorities in October 2022, during typhoon-induced flooding in northern Thailand. Then bad weather affected more than 40 thousand families and led to agricultural losses in the amount of about $100 million.[4]
China's first private space company launches liquid-fueled rocket
On April 2, 2023, the first Chinese private aerospace company, Space Pioneer, successfully launched the Tianlong-2 (Sky Dragon-2) rocket, a liquid-fueled carrier. Read more here.
Mishustin instructed Roscosmos to create a subcommittee on cooperation in the field of satellite navigation with China
On March 20, 2023, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed an order that instructed Roscosmos, together with the Russian Foreign Ministry, to agree with China on the creation of a subcommittee on cooperation in the field of satellite navigation. Read more here.
2022
5 consecutive successful satellite launches
On January 9, 2023, the Chinese rocket and space company Galactic Energy made another launch of its Ceres-1 carrier. For the first time, a private company from China managed to make five successful starts in a row. Read more here.
China's first ever orbital rocket launch on liquid methane failed
On December 14, 2022, China made the world's first attempt to launch an orbital rocket using liquid methane, a Zhuque-2 carrier created by the Beijing-based Landspace company. The mission ended in failure due to problems with the second stage engines. Read more here.
China has created the world's most powerful closed-circuit liquid-propellant rocket engine
In early September 2022, the Beijing Space Research Institute tested a new rocket engine that is twice as powerful as its American rival in the race to land the next astronaut on the moon. Read more here.
China launched a group of remote sensing satellites into orbit
In June 2022, three Yaogan-35 remote sensing satellites were introduced into solar-synchronous orbit. They were developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, part of the Chinese Aerospace Scientific and Technical Corporation (CASC). Read more here.
535 satellites in orbit - 2nd in the world
2021: China puts national space station's main module into orbit
On April 29, 2021, China launched the main module of the national space station Tiangong into orbit. The launch of the Changzheng-5B launch vehicle was carried out at the Wenchang cosmodrome in southern Hainan province at 11:23 local time (6:23 Moscow time). Read more here.
Notes
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