China to launch first private rocket
A Chinese private company will launch the first self-developed rocket in the first half of 2018, said the company founder.
Shu Chang, the company founder, said his company was established in 2015, has just completed the tests and is confident with the launch.
Located in the Yizhuang District in Beijing, engineers are working to build a six-meter-long rocket, the first-generation product in Shu's company.
"This is the heart of our rocket. It is a solid rocket engine with a six-meter-long length and 35 tons of thrust," said Ai Zhiheng, a rocker engineer.
Ai added that the part assembled at the rocket tail needs to withstand the burning heat so it is very important how to design the thermal seal.
Added with the load, this rocket is about eight meters long. At the end of last year, engineers completed the tests on this rocket.
Talking about the cost, Shu said it is a problem they must face up to. "The investment in the aerospace industry is indeed heavy, and it takes very long period. This is only our first step, and we need much more investment in the future for making bigger rocket," said Shu.
In addition to the first-generation product, Shu's company is researching and developing another three types of rockets.
"We are not like the national aerospace authorities, they are doing heavy state-planned programs. So what kind of pattern will be formed finally? I think the projects with high requirements for scientific researches, such as deep space exploration, should be done by the national aerospace authorities. And for the efficient and cost-saving private companies, we can do some business development projects," said Shu.
(Source: Reuters)
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