China's spaceplane program
 | This article possibly contains unsourced predictions, speculative material, or accounts of events that might not occur. Information must be verifiable and based on reliable published sources. (September 2010) |
| Description | |
|---|---|
| Role: | Reusable launch vehicle spaceplane project |
| Crew: | |
| Dimensions | |
| Length: | 32 m |
| Wingspan: | |
| Mass: | 140 t |
| Payload: | 4 t |
Project 921-3 is a crewed spacecraft sub-system of Project 921. The term 921-3 is often used for the Chinese spaceplane program.[not verified in body]
History
[edit] |
The Chinese National Manned Space Program was given the designation of Project 921 in 1992. This broad project was divided into three phases: 921-1 to launch a crewed mission by 2002 in a craft that became the Shenzhou, the Project 921-2 temporary space station by 2010, and the 921-3 permanent space station by 2020. Care must be taken not to confuse the three phases of Project 921 with its seven sub-systems (921-1, 921-2 ... 921-7).
Early planning of Project 921 included six different proposals for a crewed space transportation system. Five of these proposals were of a space-Earth transportation system using a delta winged orbiter. By 1990, the proposal for the Soyuz-like capsule Shenzhou had won out.[citation needed]
Some small models for a spaceplane were made public, but the concept was rejected in favor of a Soyuz-like capsule which became Shenzhou. Concepts for a space shuttle now are only studies. There is no known Chinese government support beyond very basic research for a spaceplane.[citation needed]
Photographs of a two-seat spaceplane simulator were published after 1980, probably belonging to a Chinese Dynasoar-like vehicle. Reports of the existence of a wind tunnel model have continued since then.[citation needed]
869 Project
[edit]After 1986 the Air Ministry starts its 869 Project regarding spaceplane concepts. Up to 1990, the several space-shuttle proposals studied were:[1]
- Tianjiao-1 space shuttle, proposed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. Totally dependent on the parent rocket booster to reach orbit. 25-ton orbiter, 2-ton payload.
- Chang Cheng-1 (Great Wall-1) space shuttle, proposed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology and 640 Institute of the Air Ministry. 94-ton orbiter launched atop 3 parallel HT-1 SLVs to a 200–500 km orbit. 5-ton payload and maximum of 5 crew members.
- V-2 rocket plane, proposed by the 11th Aeronautics Institute;
- H-2 spaceplane, proposed by Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute. Reusable launch stage weighs 198 tons using dual rocket and ramjet engine for Mach 5+ launch speed. 132-ton orbiter.
- Mini space shuttle, proposed by 611 Aircraft Design Institute;
Shenlong Test Platform
[edit]The latest models shown in 2000 reveal a delta winged spaceplane with a single vertical stabilizer, equipped with three high-expansion engines. Presuming a seating arrangement of two crew members siting side-by-side in the cockpit, dimensions could be very roughly estimated as a wingspan of 8 m, a length of 12 m and a total mass of 12 tonnes. This is within the payload capability of the Chinese CZ-2E(A) or Type A launch vehicles.[citation needed]
HTS Maglev Launch Assist Technology
[edit]During the 2006 Zhuhai Airshow, pictures of a totally new space vehicle developed by the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (
This new Chinese space shuttle was based on the HTS (High Temperature Superconductor) Maglev Launch Assist Technology for Space Flight Vehicle (
Reusable launch vehicle
[edit]Concept proposed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. A 140-ton, 32-metre-length orbiter launched atop a Long March 5 rocket with a payload of 7 tons.[1]
Shenlong Spaceplane
[edit]Images of an aerodynamic scaled model, ready to be launched from under the fuselage of a H-6K bomber, were first published in the Chinese media on 11 December 2007.[4] Code named Project 863-706, the Chinese name of this spacecraft was revealed as “
Earlier, images of the High-enthalpy Shock Waves Laboratory wind tunnel of the CAS Key Laboratory of high-temperature gas dynamics (LHD) were published in the Chinese media. Test with speed up to Mach 20 where reached around 2001.[7]
As of 2007[update], the CAS academician Zhuang Fenggan (
Hypersonic Vehicle
[edit]According to 'informal sources', another hypersonic vehicle has been tested, which is equivalent to the X-43.[9]
Tengyun
[edit]Tengyun is a reusable spaceplane project unveiled in 2016 by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation. The spaceplane is composed of two planes, with the larger aircraft acting as a carrier aircraft.[4] A small scale model was shown at the Zhuhai Airshow 2018.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Fisher, Richard (2011). "China's Space Plane Program". www.strategycenter.net. Archived from the original on 12 September 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
- ^ "
航 天 运载器 高温 超 导磁悬浮助 推发射 技 术".虚 幻 军事天空 . 11 November 2006. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2008. - ^ "
航 天 发射用 磁悬浮助推发射 系 统概念 研究 ". 维普资讯网. 31 January 2005. Retrieved 20 April 2008. - ^ a b Shats, Daniel (2021). Chinese spaceplane programs (PDF). Peter Wood, BluePath Labs, China Aerospace Studies Institute. Montgomery, AL. ISBN 9798763459043. OCLC 1288576470. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ "
中国 "神 龙"飞行器 首 度 曝光身 世 扑朔迷离". SOHU.com. 11 January 2008. Archived from the original on 14 December 2012. Retrieved 13 April 2008. - ^ "Shenlong 'Divine Dragon' Takes Flight: Is China developing its first spaceplane?". China Signpost. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
- ^ "氢氧
爆 轰驱动激波高 焓风洞 ".中国科学院 高温 气体动力学 重点 实验室 . 17 March 2005. Archived from the original on 7 December 2005. Retrieved 16 April 2008. - ^ "
國產 空 天 飛 機 3年 內試飛 ".香港 文匯報 . 11 December 2007. Retrieved 16 April 2008. - ^ "International Assessment and Strategy Center > Research > PLA and U.S. Arms Racing in the Western Pacific". Strategycenter.net. 29 June 2011. Archived from the original on 31 January 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
- ^ Shats, Daniel (13 December 2021). "Don't Buy China's Hypersonic Head-Fake. Its Spaceplanes Are Racing Ahead". Defense One. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
