Chinese Space Program

[Josh_TN]

If true then that shows very bad work practices at their space agency.

Yup. It seems to simply be Chinese policy to cut corners. This would be their forth spent rocket stage explosion in as many years.

https://breakingdefense.com/2026/06...ndangering-low-earth-orbit-satellites-report/

 

[Lepespi]

what do you guys think, there's now 3 concurrent developments of starship-like rockets in China, will they all fly?

- Long March 9

- Orienspace Gravity-3 (last info on western internet was that it would be a falcon heavy-like with Gravity-2's but on CN internet and even on their site it has been updated):
https://www.orienspace.com/productPage

- LandSpace Zhuque-4/"X" (least reliable info):
https://www.163.com/dy/article/KLGN7VCC051197UI.html
https://cj.sina.com.cn/articles/view/1649586835/m6252b29303301i9ya
https://www.sina.cn/news/detail/5177770376168586.html

 

[Josh_TN]

Impossible to say. I think there is enough future market share for anyone who can perfect the process, as long as you are in the same price bracket per kg to orbit as your competitors. So it would be unsurprising to me if all of the various US and PRC rocket companies ultimately produced platforms and gained at least some market share, so long as they can secure enough funding to survive to the point of having a successful product.

CZ-9 is the government’s program and I cannot see it not producing a working rocket eventually. It is a national security issue. So if I had to bet on one Starship clone, I would bet on that one. It will be soaked in money until it works.

 

[NMaude]

Yup. It seems to simply be Chinese policy to cut corners.

It wouldn't take any hardware modifications to inert these spent stages in orbit, once the payload has be released and is clear then just blow-down the propellant and pressurisation tanks along with draining the onboard batteries.

 

[Josh_TN]

I am not sure why they do it that way; they have as much to lose from space junk as anyone else. More really than anyone but the U.S., and they will soon have their own mega constellations.

 

[Flyaway]

Pallas-1 first launch:

View: https://youtu.be/3PQZsOuSnV4

 

[Flyaway]

https://news.cnr.cn/native/gd/kx/20260903/t20260903_527803755.shtml

At the Deep Space Exploration (Tiandu) International Conference, which opened today, Hou Zengqian—an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chief Scientist of the Tianwen-3 mission—announced that the mission has entered the prototype development phase, with key technological breakthroughs and scientific preparations advancing in parallel.

Tianwen-3 is scheduled for launch around 2028, with a return to Earth carrying Mars samples expected around 2031; it is poised to become the first Mars sample-return mission in human history. The mission will drive progress across multiple disciplines, such as astrobiology and planetary geology, while enabling China to contribute to humanity's understanding of Mars and the search for extraterrestrial life.

Hou Zengqian, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chief Scientist of Tianwen-3: "The Tianwen-3 mission is progressing smoothly; we are intensifying efforts to achieve key technological breakthroughs, and the exploration hardware is currently in the prototype stage. On the scientific front, numerous research teams across the country are collaborating to address critical scientific objectives."

Academician Hou noted that alongside the engineering progress, scientific teams are conducting targeted research and facility development to address key operational aspects, such as where to collect samples, how to perform the collection, and how to ensure the samples remain uncontaminated.

 

[Flyaway]

China’s Tianwen-3 Mars Sample Return mission appears on track for launch next year, dedicated to return to Earth Red Planet collectibles in 2031.

 

[Flyaway]

From NSF:

Rumours on Weibo say that Chang’e 8 is now cancelled

…

While the rumors are a bit less than a couple months old, It seems the decision was taken some time ago, probably at least by the time the integration of CLEP with CMSEO was first formally announced in June 2025.

Chang'e 7 does seem to be the last mission named Chang'e; I'd be surprised if hardware planned for CE8 isn't repurposed

 

[TwoTribes]

...

 

[SleepyJerry]

I am not sure why they do it that way; they have as much to lose from space junk as anyone else. More really than anyone but the U.S., and they will soon have their own mega constellations.

Even after officials claimed they'd "optimized safety" in the passivation process for spent rocket stages, the improved LM-6 still keeps blowing up its spent stages. Looks like they're just like every big corporation, more concerned with protecting their image than actually fixing the problem.

 

[Michel Van]

Tianlong-3 has no luck after accidental take off during static firing test last year
there first launch went not good
Lox leak in engine bay let to fire that damage first stage
they try early stage separation at 40 km but first stage hit the second stage damage it also

Source X

https://twitter.com/x/status/2098421522788733315

View: https://twitter.com/kelvin61942434/status/2098421522788733315

 

[Josh_TN]

Space is hard.

 

[Michel Van]

Scott Manley on wild grow of Chinese launcher systems:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEoJeZDRso0

 

[Sferrin]

The "throw everything at the wall and see what sticks" approach. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

 

[Brett Davidson]

The "throw everything at the wall and see what sticks" approach. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Seems to be the same with their car industry. The range of brands is bewildering. I assume that there will be winnowing over time.

 

[alberchico]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2100965891085357119

View: https://x.com/CNSpaceflight/status/2100965891085357119


I did not realize they had their own version of the X-37 mini shuttle. Wonder when we'll actually see this thing go into space.

 

[Michel Van]

The "throw everything at the wall and see what sticks" approach. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Seems to be the same with their car industry. The range of brands is bewildering. I assume that there will be winnowing over time.

That China government method of Industry, (or in Simple terms "the Rats in oil drum")
They give allot cheap credit to many companies that produce certain product.
Once the ecosystem of the product is establish the Chinese government act !
They cut the credits and demand higher pay back rate.
Now the Companies start to fight under each other, for market domination.
The Surviver is let loose on World Market:

Huawei, Alibaba, Lenovo, Foxconn and BYD are those survivors...

 

[TheKutKu]

I did not realize they had their own version of the X-37 mini shuttle. Wonder when we'll actually see this thing go into space.

The equivalent of the X-37B; the CSSHQ, is currently on its 4th flight since 2020.
Haolong doesn't have an announced date but is not expected to launch before late 2027.

 

[Sferrin]

The equivalent of the X-37B; the CSSHQ, is currently on its 4th flight since 2020.
Haolong doesn't have an announced date but is not expected to launch before late 2027.

The baffling lack of interest in Dream Chaser makes me wonder if this format is a solution looking for a problem.

 

[Josh_TN]

I think resusable rockets made this technology useless from a market point of view. It still might have military relevance.

 

[thanix01]

I think resusable rockets made this technology useless from a market point of view. It still might have military relevance.

I think the plan is to use this on Zhuque-3 if it turn out well, they will reuse the first stage and the spacecraft.