Expert envisions improvements on China's carrier rockets
( 2003-10-15 19:03) (Xinhua)
Standardization, modulation
and integration would feature future developments of China's carrier rockets, a
Chinese rocket expert told Xinhua today. China will focus efforts on research
and large-scale production of basic types of rockets that could be combined and
improved according to different requirements of each launch, said Liu Zhusheng,
chief designer of the rocket system of China's manned space flight program,
comparing the mechanism to building blocks that can be combined into different
shapes.
According to Liu, China's rocket production is conducted on the single piece
basis at present as only two launches are made at most each year. In line with
quality requirements, one of the rockets would be singled out to pass quality
check.
"Such small lot production would inevitably lead to waste," said Liu.
On the improvement of propellant agents, Liu said that non- toxic propellant
agents will replace current propellant agents which are poisonous, requiring a
lot of pollution control measures.
"The current satellite launch service market is in excessive supply," said
Liu. "In order to compete with the United States, the European Space Agency,
Russia, Ukraine and India, it is necessary for us to look ahead and outpace the
competition rivals in the study of technology and functions."
China has 12 models of rockets in four major series. To date, the "Long
March" series of rockets have successfully sent 52 home- made satellites, 27
foreign-made satellites and five "Shenzhou" spaceships into space.
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