China’s new rocket
China has successfully tested a new rocket engine designed for its upcoming crewed lunar missions. During testing, three YF-100K engines were fired simultaneously, generating a combined thrust of 382 metric tons.
The engine is intended to power the Long March 10, a new heavy-lift launch vehicle designed for China’s next-generation spacecraft and lunar lander. Measuring 92.5 meters long (about the height of a 32-story building) and weighing 2,189 metric tons when in flight, the Long March 10 is set to play a key role in China’s lunar exploration ambitions.
Capable of delivering payloads weighing up to 27 tons to the Moon, Long March 10 will facilitate China’s first crewed lunar landing mission. These missions are planned to begin with two launches from the Wenchang Space Launch Center. The initial launch will carry the lunar landing module, while subsequent launches will carry the crew spacecraft.
After rendezvous and docking in lunar orbit, the astronauts will transfer to the lunar landing module to land on the lunar surface. After completing their mission, they will board the Lunar Orbiter and eventually return to Earth, GizmoChina reports.
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China’s new rocket
