China Tops Russia in Number of Rocket Launches for First Time

[beijingwalker]

China Tops Russia in Number of Rocket Launches for First Time

04 July 2012
The Moscow Times

China carried out more space launches than Russia in the first half of 2012 for the first time over a six-month period, topping Wednesday an online list of countries sending rockets into orbit.

On the list compiled by the Energomash rocket engine company and posted on its website, China led with 10 launches, Russia was second with nine and the United States came in third with eight.

According to Energomash researchers, China used different versions of its Long March boosters to launch its space missions, while Russia deployed its Proton and Soyuz rockets five and four times, respectively.

Energomash engines were used by one-third of rockets launches so far this year, the company said. The company produces engines for the Proton, Soyuz and Zenit rockets, as well as the United States' Atlas 5 rocket.

 

[peep]

This is actually great news

 

[Nan Yang]

Russia has 7 planned launches this month. China has 1 and US has 0.

 

[beijingwalker]

China was number 2 after Russia last year in terms of total launches after overtaking US,hopefully this year China can claim the top spot.

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

Really good news.

I am quite impressed that even though Russia does not have a strong economy recently, they are still very much interested in expanding their technological reach.

 

[Martian2]

China plans to launch 21 rockets, 30 satellites this year - Xinhua

China should have 11 more launches for the second half of this year.

10 down. 11 more to go.

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Reference: China plans to launch 21 rockets, 30 satellites this year - Xinhua | English.news.cn

 

[Arian]

Good to see the Chinese rising. China is the hope of many independent nations that wish a world without US unilateralism.

 

[Arzamas 16]

Lets wait until end of the year, and then we will see who is number 1 in 2012.

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

Russia will still launch more in the next few years since it is the major transportation support of the ISS, while China doesn't have this duty.

BTW, after the launch pad in Hainan is completed, we will expect to see China's launch being doubled as the completion of the spacelab and the manned Moon Landing is getting near.