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On August 17th, China successfully test-fired the second stage of the Long March 5 space launch rocket. This was the last of pre- systems integration testing and thus a key milestone to ensure the LM-5’s timely maiden flight in 2016.

China Long March 5 CZ-5

Full Burn

State broadcaster CCTV runs footage of the successful test of the LM-5’s engine, a major milestone for the Chinese space program. Chinese media especially notes that the liquid hydrogen and oxygen fuel produces water as exhaust.

The second stage of the LM-5 is vital for Chinese high orbit satellites and extraterrestial missions, such as lunar exploration. While the basic LM-5 doesn’t have a second stage, the LM-5B will be able to use its second stage to place up to 14 tons into geosynchronous orbit (including military payloads like electronics and intelligence satellites), or to deliver a payload to the moon, like the Chang’e 5 lunar rover. The LM-5’s heavy low orbit and geosynchronous payload will firmly place China among the world’s leading space powers in terms of technology, as well as serving as a stepping stone to even more powerful rockets, like the 130-ton payload Long March 9.

China Tiangong spaceship in space

Tiangong 3

This CGI of the Tiangong 3 space station shows three Tiangong space station modules, a Shenzhou manned module underneath and a Tianzhou automated resupply vehicle all docked together. The new Chinese spaceship would likely replace the Shenzhou in the 2020-2025 timeframe.

And if its ability to sling cargo into outer space wasn’t enough, it’s also good for the planet it leaves behind. Chinese media was quick to point out that its liquid oxygen and hydrogen, 1,100 ton thrust engines are much more environmentally friendly than the current engines of in-service Long March rockets, such as the dinitrogen tetraoxide and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine powered YF-20 engine.

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