China's space exploration ambitions have reached new heights with the announcement of its next-generation crewed spacecraft, which will seek to advance human spaceflight capabilities.
According to a statement from a seasoned Chinese astronaut, the cutting-edge spacecraft, designed to accommodate up to seven astronauts, is slated to make its maiden journey between 2027 and 2028.
Veteran Astronaut Shares Insights on China's Next Spacecraft
The veteran astronaut, Yang Liwei, a former fighter pilot who made history as China's first man in space aboard the Shenzhou-5 in 2003, shared exciting insights into the upcoming project during a lecture at a Chinese university.
Reuters reported that he emphasized that this new spacecraft would be instrumental in achieving various space missions, including crewed lunar missions, the expansion of their space station, and even deep-space explorations.
Yang Liwei, currently serving as the deputy chief designer of China's manned spaceflight project, revealed that the recent tests on the return capsule of the next-generation spacecraft have yielded exceptional results. This positive outcome has further fueled optimism that the first flights could occur within the projected timeline.
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China's Next-Generation Spacecraft
The development of this advanced spacecraft marks a significant leap from China's previous missions. The existing Shenzhou spacecraft, inspired by Russia's Soyuz, has a maximum capacity of three astronauts for low-Earth orbit missions.
In contrast, the new-generation spacecraft's revolutionary design features only two modules: the propulsion and the return modules. This streamlined architecture allows for more extensive modules and vastly increases its carrying capacity, making it capable of ferrying up to seven astronauts.
"The new spacecraft will be a game-changer, enhancing our nation's space capabilities by accommodating larger crews and payloads," remarked Zhang Bainan, chief designer of the trial version of the next-generation spacecraft.
Moreover, the enhanced heat resistance of the return module will enable components to be re-used efficiently, signifying a crucial advancement in sustainable space exploration technology.
What's Next?
While China's space endeavors have already achieved significant milestones, including the operational space station launched last year, the nation is firmly focused on future lunar missions, aiming to send astronauts to the moon by 2030.
In recent disclosures, engineers have shared detailed plans, including the type of carrier rockets and spacecraft configurations for transporting astronauts and equipment.
As China's space program gains momentum, other private Chinese aerospace companies are also contributing to the country's accomplishments. One such achievement involves the successful launch of the Zhuque-2 rocket, powered by methane and liquid oxygen.
This private company, LandSpace, achieved a world-first by delivering a test payload into sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), showcasing the viability of methane-powered engines in the new era of rocketry.
With their superior performance and lower operational costs, Methane-powered engines are becoming increasingly popular for reusable rocket designs.
The Zhuque-2's triumph is yet another for China's flourishing private aerospace sector, following Space Pioneer's liquid-propelled Tianlong-2 launch earlier this year.
