Space
20:38, 07-Nov-2017
China to launch new upper stage rocket for 2018 sun-synchronous orbit mission
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Chinese rocket researchers are working on a new upper stage, Yuanzheng 1B, for the sun-synchronous orbit mission in 2018, according to the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) on Monday.
It is tasked with improving the launch capabilities of the Long March 2C.
Upper stages could restart engines multiple times in space. /CGTN Gif
Upper stages could restart engines multiple times in space. /CGTN Gif
Capable of restarting engines multiple times in space like other upper stages, Yuanzheng 1B could send different payloads directly to varying high-energy orbits, such as medium Earth orbit. Since the Long March 3B and 3C couldn’t restart by itself, the CALT launched the Yuanzheng 1A to 'help' the Long March launch vehicles in 2015.
Compared to Yuanzheng 1A, the new upper stage will be a simplified one. It will be combined with the Long March 2C rocket to improve the whole mission adaptability. At the same time, Yuanzheng 1B will be able to complete the mission in about one hour, which could reduce the launch cost.
Yuanzheng 1B is tasked to improve the launch capabilities of the Long March 2C. /Xinhua Photo
Yuanzheng 1B is tasked to improve the launch capabilities of the Long March 2C. /Xinhua Photo
China started to develop upper stages on rockets in the 1980s.
On March 30, 2015, Yuanzheng 1 completed its first flight and successfully launched a Beidou navigation satellite into orbit after being lifted by a Long March 3C carrier rocket.
Source(s): China Daily