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China Will Attempt 30-Plus Launches in 2019, Including Crucial Long March 5 Missions (spacenews.com)

Posted by msmash on from the up-next dept.

New submitter starmanaj shares a report: The main contractor for the Chinese space program is planning more than 30 launches in 2019, with major missions including the crucial return-to-flight of the heavy-lift Long March 5 rocket in July. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), announced Jan. 29 that it would aim to loft more than 50 spacecraft on 30-plus launches this year. Among these will be the third launch on the Long March 5, a 5-meter-diameter, 57-meter-tall heavy-lift launch vehicle which failed in its second flight in July 2017, delaying the Chang'e-5 lunar sample return mission and the construction of the Chinese Space Station. The mission will take place in July at the coastal Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan island, CASC vice president Yang Baohua said at a Jan. 29 news conference in Beijing, which also saw the release of a "Blue Book of China Aerospace Science and Technology Activities."

4 of 64 comments (clear)

  1. Re:How much... by Killall+-9+Bash · · Score: 4, Interesting

    you can't steal things that Elon has copylefted. Elon's philosophy is that people who steal your tech are followers, and they ultimately won't be able to compete. They'll always be 2 steps behind, analyzing what you're currently doing. Elon copylefting everything is a clever trap.

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    "Prediction: within 10 years, Windows will be a Linux distribution." Me, 7-6-2016
  2. Re:How much... by Gavagai80 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Actually, Elon's philosophy is that he doesn't mind if another company beats his to achieving things if that makes the things be achieved faster. He's been urging automakers to go electric for ages, he's been rooting for Blue Origin and all the little rocket companies, etc. Certainly hasn't ever taken any steps to harm competitors. He started his current companies because he was a rich guy who wanted to solve more interesting/important problems, not to make money.

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  3. Re:Good for them! by Gavagai80 · · Score: 4, Informative

    I doubt they're going to get 30+ launches done in a year, unless they've been playing things really close to the vest.

    Erm, China launched 37 times last year. How is aiming for 30+ this year any sort of stretch or doubtful thing? They've been "playing things really close to the vest" by launching 37 times and then planning 30 for the following year?

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  4. Re:Good for them! by 110010001000 · · Score: 4, Informative

    SpaceX launched 19 last year. China launched 37. SpaceX fanboys are delusional.