Reportedly, China intends to launch four novel science satellite missions by the end of 2023, and researchers have finished concept research on different to be launched projects in the next 10 Years. Chinese science satellites launched successfully ever since 2015 includes the QUESS (Quantum Experiments at Space Scale), the DAMPE (Dark Matter Particle Explorer), and the HXMT (Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope). These were in accordance with a space science plan of the CAS (Chinese Academy of Sciences). Lately in China’s Xiamen, Wang Chi—Director of the NSSC (National Space Science Center) under the CAS—told the second stage of the plan has now begun.
The initial operation of the second phase was Taiji-1, which was the country’s first satellite to carry out in-orbit experiments on major technologies regarding space-based gravitational wave detection that went into space in August 2019. Wang said the four new operations comprise of the GECAM (Gravitational Wave high-energy Electromagnetic Counterpart All-sky Monitor) and is anticipated to be launched by 2020, which will hunt for electromagnetic signals linked with gravitational waves. The ASO-S (Advanced Space-borne Solar Observatory)—which is anticipated to be launched by 2021—will aid researchers in understanding the solar flares, magnetic fields, and coronal mass expulsions.
On a related note, Chinese private launch companies are gearing for the second-generation rockets. iSpace—also known as Beijing Interstellar Glory Space Technology Ltd.—reported it is planning to test the Hyperbola-2 lift-off rocket in 2021. This is a liquid oxygen-liquid methane launcher and is capable of carrying 1.1 metric tons to about 500 Km in the Sun’s synchronous orbit. In July, iSpace carried the first orbital launch successfully by a Chinese commercial company. This was introduced by attempts in the last year by OneSpace (in March) and Landspace (in October). All of these utilized solid propellant launch vehicles.
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