China reveals design for reusable heavy rocket

China has revealed a concept for a fully reusable, two-stage heavy rocket, showing different recovery methods for the two stages of the launch vehicle.

During the 15th International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, the Chinese Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) announced that China’s future heavy-lift rockets will adopt three configurations: a three-stage model, a two-stage model and a fully reusable two-stage model which is displayed at the air show.

“We have developed a grid-based recovery system for the reusable model and We made a breakthrough in this novel technology in the last two years by completing a small scale recovery test at sea”Wang Yue, deputy director of the aerospace department of CALT, said in a statement, quoted by Xinhua.

An animated video from CALT shows the first stage of the reusable rocket deploying grid fins during its descent and captured by moving rails on an offshore platform, with the grid fins resting on the rails. The second stage performs a powered vertical landing.

The design of reusable rockets is fundamental to the country’s space efforts and also offers new opportunities for the global development of the space industry, Wang said.

CALT plans to develop modules that can be used universally in all three configurations in two phases to achieve heavy lift carrying capability and complete reusability of the heavy rocket.

Modules developed in the first phase will include a general-purpose first stage, a non-reusable second stage, and a hydrogen-oxygen powered third stage. These modules will be used to build the basic type of 10-meter-diameter heavy-lift rocket, with a payload capacity in low Earth orbit of at least 100 tons and a payload capacity in lunar transfer orbit of at least 50 tons.

In the second phase, CALT aims to develop a multi-adaptive second stage and build a two-stage, completely reusable model. This model is expected to reduce space transportation costs, increase efficiency, and expand the scale of space transportation. The two-stage model will focus on near-Earth missions, supporting satellite networks and infrastructure construction.

According to the academy, the three-stage heavy rocket model, which allows for higher orbital speeds and altitudes, is suitable for deep space missions, such as exploring Mars or asteroids.

The modular design allows each part of the rocket to be independently developed, produced, tested and combined according to different mission requirements.

He said the development of general modules ensures that some common components and technologies can be shared between different heavy rocket models, reducing costs and maintenance difficulties.

CALT noted that these heavy-lift rockets will incorporate intelligent systems, advanced materials and environmentally friendly technologies.

“Smart technology will improve reliability and safety by monitoring flight data in real time and predicting potential problems,” Wang said.

New materials, such as high-strength materials and high-temperature-resistant composites, will improve rocket durability and performance Wang said.