The founder and ideological inspirer of the Chinese space program is rightfully considered Qian Xuesen. For a long time he lived and studied in the USA, graduated from several technical universities and received a doctorate in aerodynamics. After accusing the United States of aiding the communists, he returned to China and began his own missile development.
Goals and principles
China's space program begins in 1956. It was at this time that the Academy was founded by the Ministry of Defense, which began to develop missiles and launch vehicles. The main tasks, goals and principles of work set by the Chinese government were formed and outlined in a special plan. All work should be aimed at a thorough reconnaissance of outer space. The main idea was to use space for peaceful purposes, for a general understanding of the structure of the Earth.
The data received was to be processed and presented in an understandable form for Chinese citizens. Scientific enlightenment of Chinese citizens, and national self-consciousness should contribute to the solutionissues of scientific, economic, social and technological progress.
Trial rocket launches
The work began with the development of ordinary geophysical rockets, with the help of which various studies were carried out. The first experimental copies were launched in 1966. For the first time, a rocket was launched into the stratosphere with several mice on board, whose task was to show scientists how living beings feel in the created rockets. In July 1966, the T-7A rocket successfully launched, this time the passenger of which was a dog. All tests were successful.
April 1970 marked the launch of China's first satellite, Dongfang Hong 1. They tried to launch the rocket at the end of 1969, but the launch was unsuccessful. For China's space program, this launch was a breakthrough. The effort made China the eleventh country in the world to develop and launch its own satellite, and the second in Asia, behind Japan, which did just a few weeks earlier.
Shuguang development
In the middle of the twentieth century, China led the development of three manned space programs. The first program was called "Shuguang". Preparations began at the end of 1960. The launch was scheduled for 1973.
Shuguang is a two-seat spacecraft based on the US Gemini spacecraft. The Chinese version had a slightly smaller size, but was several times heavier, as it had technological equipment on board.equipment. On board, in a special compartment, two cosmonauts were placed in full uniform and in chairs equipped with an ejection system in case of unforeseen situations.
The plans were to launch a rocket in 1973. The flight would turn China into the world's third most powerful space power after the US and the USSR. However, the program was closed in May 1072 due to a lack of funding and an unstable political situation. Mao Zedong, the head of the PRC, considered ground needs to be a higher priority. The space program was closed, and the second spaceport, which was built for this purpose, was mothballed and turned into an observation deck for the country's top leaders and industry experts.
Shenzhou Program
In the late 1970s, China's second manned space program was under way. It was based on the FSW satellite base, the so-called return satellites. What caused the declassification and complete stop of the program is unknown. It is believed that all activities were stopped as a result of the failed launch of the first Chinese astronaut.
China became a real space power in 2003 thanks to the implementation of the Shenzhou program. It was China's first space flight. The rocket was in Earth orbit for only one day, October 15th. During the day, the device made 14 complete revolutions around the Earth. The ship was piloted by PLA Air Force Colonel Yang Liwei. Prior to this launch with a man on board, a team of specialists made four successful unmannedlaunch rockets into space.
Interesting facts
The Chinese Shenzhou spacecraft is practically a twin brother of the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. It completely repeats its shape and dimensions, has a similar structure of the household and instrument compartments. All parts of the ship are almost identical, with a small margin of error due to Chinese technical standards. The orbital complex is also built using secret technologies that were the basis of several Soyuz space stations.
In 2005 there was a resonant case. Igor Reshetin, director of TsNIIMash-Export CJSC, was accused of spying for China. He was charged with selling Russian space developments to the Chinese side. The investigation went on for more than two years. As a result, Academician Reshetin was sentenced to 11.5 years in prison. Subsequently, the case was sent for review. Igor Reshetin was reduced to seven years. He was released early in 2012 after serving six years and eight months.
Lunar program
China is very ambitious in its plans to conquer space. There are a few things to note. The space agency has been developing China's lunar program for a decade. Together with the quite ordinary tasks of collecting soil and other samples, the specialists intend to make a breakthrough and land on the far, dark side of the moon for the first time in world history. No other country in the world has ever made such a flight. Missionwas named "Chang'e".
Trial Chinese apparatus "Chang'e-1" was launched into the orbit of the moon back in 2007. In 2013, the Chang'e-3 lander landed on the lunar surface. It was in working condition for about one Earth month, advanced only 114 meters. After two lunar days, the device failed.
Chang'e-4 was created on the basis of the third model of the apparatus. Initially, it was planned to be used as a backup, but after the breakdown of the existing complex, it was decided to modify Chang'e-4 to an independent lunar rover with a more extended mission.
The landing of Chang'e-3 was a serious test for the technical services of the Chinese space agency. The next lunar rover was created taking into account all the mistakes, equipped with modern technological and computer equipment. Experts expect that the lunar rover will be able to function on the Moon for more than three months.
A particular difficulty in the implementation of this program is the lunar surface itself, which cannot be seen from Earth. To solve this problem, experts plan to send a reconnaissance probe, which will serve as a kind of repeater for the lunar rover and will be able to transmit data received at high radio frequencies to Earth, to the command post.
Freight transportation
China's achievements in space are impressive. The country was not going to stop there and at the same time was building a cargospacecraft, the purpose of which was to deliver cargo and equipment to the orbital station. "Tianzhou" - this is the name given to the first cargo ship. Trials began in February 2017 and were very successful. The official launch took place on April 20. The main task of the ship was to refuel the orbital station.
Also, an imitation of cargo was placed in the sealed compartment, which is planned to be transferred to the station team: technical and medical equipment for conducting the necessary experiments in weightlessness. Three test dockings were made. On September 17, 2017, the cargo ship was successfully deorbited.
Work in 2015-2016
In early 2015, China launched a medium-weight rocket into lunar orbit. The device successfully completed all the maneuvers. Its main task was to develop and test the technologies that were planned to be used for the Chang'e-5 satellite. Its launch was scheduled for 2017.
In the fall, as part of an experiment, a satellite was launched, which was planned to be used in the telecommunications sector. Today, the satellite is in orbit and serves to optimize radio communications and radar.
In 2016, a Belarusian satellite was launched into orbit, which provides telecommunications, including broadband Internet access.
Achievements in 2017-2018
In March 2017, an agreement was signed on the joint work of Chinese and Ukrainian specialists in the field of load transfer tospace. Work has also been carried out to place a group of satellites in orbit, which ensure the uninterrupted operation of data transmission on Earth. During the year, three experimental successful dockings of the Tianzhou cargo ship with the space station were carried out. In 2018, the first launch vehicle created by a private company was launched. Experiment failed.
Ambitious space plans
China's space program until 2030 is scheduled to the smallest detail. By 2020, experts plan to launch a medium-lift launch vehicle. The designers have developed a system of special weights that will reduce fuel costs. This, in turn, will make commercial launches much cheaper.
By 2025, the Chinese space agency will develop suborbital flight technology. This will allow ordinary people to fly and return as safely as possible. The spacecraft will look like a standard orbital plane.
China's space program has a major event planned for 2030. The designers plan to create a high-capacity launch vehicle. According to Long Lehao, chief designer of the aerospace corporation, key results have already been achieved in this area. He noted that a prototype of the future complex has already been created. It has a ring structure with a diameter of about ten meters. With such volumes, the propulsive force of the rocket will increase from the current 20 to 100 tons.
