[SpaceNews] — A new heavy-lift rocket designed to be capable of sending Chinese astronauts to the moon could have its first flight in 2026, according to a senior engineer.
Long Lehao, a senior space industry figure and Long March launch vehicle designer, told state media CCTV Dec. 10 that the new rocket would launch for the first time around 2026. Long appeared in a television segment celebrating the 400th Long March rocket launch.
Long stated that the kerosene-liquid oxygen rocket could be used to put Chinese astronauts on the moon before 2030, echoing the recent views of Ye Peijian, a senior official within China’s lunar program. Other flights such as circumlunar missions were noted as possibilities for the new rocket. |