China’s great leap upward with Long March rocket launch
China announced a big advance in its space programme yesterday with the launch of its most advanced rocket and tests of a crew capsule for lunar and space station missions.
Long March 5B, a 53-metre, 849-tonne rocket, lit its main engines and climbed into space from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre on the southern island of Hainan.
‘‘The maiden flight achieved full success, marking the first battle victory to operate a space station and heralding the new phase of our country’s manned space programme,’’ the China Manned Space office said.
The payload separated from the rocket eight minutes after lift-off and entered its ‘‘predetermined orbit’’, the office said – signalling success.
The Long March 5B and cargo and crew vehicle are the cornerstone of Beijing’s plans to construct a manned space station within two years and launch its first manned mission to the moon by 2030.
‘‘Long March 5B is primarily tasked with important launch missions, including sending the segments of our country’s space station,’’ the Chinese space office said. ‘‘The success of its maiden flight laid an important foundation to the building of the space station.’’
The unmanned rocket carried test models of the capsule, which can accommodate six crew, and a soft, inflated cargo return capsule.
The test flight is a considerable boost for the Chinese space programme after two other rockets, the 7A model and Long March 3B, failed to carry satellites into space this year.
A latecomer to the space race, China has made big strides in the past decade to catch up with the United States, as it strives to elevate its status as a space superpower.
The successful launch comes as China flexes its new military prowess with the unveiling of several new weapons.
The country has also developed a new line of nuclear-powered submarines, each of which will be fitted with 12 JL-2 ballistic missiles with a range of 7,000km. It is also preparing to unveil its first stealth bomber, the Xian H-20, which will double the Chinese air force’s strategic range.