Research on key technologies is under way for China's new-generation large-capacity innoxious, no-pollution carrier rocket and flight is expectable in several years, said Dr. Ma Xingrui, deputy manager of China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation, which China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation undertook the launch of AsiaSat-6 recently.

The basic idea of China's new-generation large-capacity carrier is one cluster carrier rocket, two types of motor and three modules capable of free combination. The new-generation under development agrees with or even surpasses the world's advanced level.

Outstandingly featuring large capacity, the new-generation rocket is hopeful to raise the current carrier capacity of 5.2 tons to 14 tons. Ma said, the new rocket will make a flight within the next several years and, when put into market, it will greatly boost China's competitiveness in international space market.

It is learned that large-capacity carrier rocket is the foundation of deep-space probe as well as of necessity for China's space technology. It will be needed in both the second and third stage of "Chang'e" moon-probing project, which will focus on landing and return.

By People's Daily Online