China plans to launch 30 rockets next year

[xhw1986]

China plans to launch 30 rockets into space next year, including two of its new generation heavy-lift launch systems, the latest in the series of Chang Zheng or Long March carrier rockets, reports the Beijing Morning Post, citing Liang Xiaohong, party secretary of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.

Liang told the paper on Jan. 20 that 14 rockets will be launched this year, and the number will increase to around 30 in 2015. By that time, the country will have launched 200 Chang Zheng rockets since 1970, Liang said.

He added that the country took 21 years to launch its first 50 rockets and then nine years to launch another 50. It will be a great leap forward for the development of the nation's space program if the country can continue its progress and launch another 100 rockets in five years, Liang said.

The high point next year will be the launch of the country's new Chang Zheng 5 and Chang Zheng 7 heavy lift launch systems, according to the official. Designed to replace the Chang Zheng 2, the vehicles are able to send a 1.5 to 25 tonne payload to low earth orbit, or a 1.5 to 14 tonne payload to geosynchronous transfer orbit.

As for the Chang Zheng 7, it is able to send a 5,500 kilogram payload into a sun-synchronous orbit. By launching the two rockets, Liang said that China will be able to prove that it can design and develop advanced heavy-lift launch systems like those of the United States.

 

[cirr]

What about Chang Zheng 6？First launch this year or in 2015？

Also the development of the Chang Zheng 9（capable of lifting 100 tonne payload to low earth orbit）is likely to be formally initiated in 2015.

 

[eazzy]

From small to big : CZ11-CZ6-CZ7-CZ5-CZ9

Is this right ? And how are KZ and KT comparing with the new CZ family ?