China successfully conducted a critical test on a new rocket engine designed for its upcoming crewed lunar missions. The test fired three YF-100K engines simultaneously, generating a combined thrust of 382 metric tons.
China’s next generation spacecraft and lunar lander will be powered by the rocket
This engine will power the Long March 10, a new heavy-lift launch vehicle under development specifically for carrying China’s next-generation spacecraft and lunar lander. The Long March 10 will stand 92.5 meters tall, roughly equivalent to a 32-story building, and boast a liftoff weight of 2,189 metric tons. With a thrust of 2,678 tons, it will be capable of launching spacecraft weighing at least 27 tons towards the Moon.
China’s plan for its first crewed lunar landing involves two Long March 10 launches from the Wenchang Space Launch Center. The first launch will carry the lunar landing module, while the second will deliver the crewed spacecraft. Once in lunar orbit, the two vehicles will dock, allowing astronauts to board the landing module for their descent to the lunar surface. After completing their mission, the astronauts will return to the lunar orbiter via the landing module and ultimately back to Earth.
(Via)
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