In preparation for moon missions by 2030, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. (CASC), the main contractor, plans to launch two reusable rockets in 2025 and 2026. This initiative is a crucial component of the state-owned company's new lunar program.
Members from China's Manned Space Agency and visitors watch as the Shenzhou-16 spacecraft onboard the Long March-2F rocket launches at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on May 30, 2023 in Jiuquan, China.
CASC's Reusable Rockets and Strategic Goals for 2030 Moon Missions
CASC's plans of launching two entirely reusable rockets in 2025 and 2026 are integral to their new lunar program, a crucial step towards China's ambitious goal of sending astronauts to the moon by 2030.
The state-owned CASC did not disclose the names of these rockets, but they are distinct from China's previous models. The innovation lies in their full reusability, offering not only increased sustainability but also cost-effectiveness as they eliminate the need for reconstruction in subsequent missions.
The rockets, characterized by a 13-foot and a 16-foot diameter, are believed to include a larger variant possibly related to the anticipated Long March 10. This sizable launch vehicle, spanning 302 feet in length, can transport 27 tons into translunar orbit.
Speculation arises that Long March 10 might play a pivotal role in sending the crew of the newly-announced Mengzhou spacecraft to the moon in 2030.
A potential test launch of Long March 10 carrying a next-generation crew capsule into Earth orbit around 2025 might happen soon, aligning with the schedule of the newly unveiled reusable rockets. However, details regarding the second reusable spacecraft and the 2026 launch remain undisclosed.
Despite several Chinese companies concurrently developing reusable rockets, the introduction of CASC's state-owned launch vehicles is expected to significantly enhance China's launch capabilities. This move is seen as a strategic competition with the country's various commercial rocket companies.
As the potential launch date approaches, CASC has already demonstrated progress by completing a vertical take-off and landing hover test in 2023, achieving a pivotal technological breakthrough in the development of reusable rockets. Representatives from CASC express contentment with the overall smooth progress of the rocket project.
READ ALSO: China Continues Space Race, Plans To Land Astronauts on Moon Before 2030
Global Competition Emerges as China and India Aim for Reusable Rockets
Anticipating a shift in the narrative dominated by U.S. aerospace company SpaceX throughout the past year, 2024 promises heightened space activities on both public and private fronts, with notable contributions expected from countries such as China, India, and Japan.
China's startup, LandSpace Technology, is set to emulate SpaceX's success by launching reusable rockets in 2025. Concurrently, India plans to initiate a series of flight tests in 2025, moving toward eventual crewed spaceflights. Additionally, India envisions constructing a space station by 2035 and sending the first Indian to the moon by 2040.
This heightened competition follows SpaceX's 2023 milestone, launching nearly 100 rockets and achieving cash-flow breakeven for the Starlink satellite phone service. Starlink, with over 5,500 satellites, offered crucial support to Ukrainian forces during the conflict with Russia.
In the space launch industry, reusability takes center stage. Although SpaceX remains the sole commercial operator of reusable rockets, China's LandSpace, following a successful satellite launch in December, plans to enter the fray with a reusable rocket in 2025.
Notably, LandSpace's rocket, using methane fuel like SpaceX's Starship, draws attention to its potential production on Mars, enabling feasible return trips from the red planet.
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