New Facility Accelerates China's 2030 Lunar Landing Goals
Asia's largest high-altitude space engine test stand is now operational in Shaanxi Province, marking a giant leap for China's moon exploration program. 🌌 The cutting-edge facility can simulate space-like vacuum conditions for 1,000 seconds – crucial for testing engines powering future crewed lunar missions.
Tech Specs: Steam-Powered Space Simulations
Using China's largest steam ejector pump system, the stand replicates how engines behave in orbit. 🛠️ 'It’s like creating a mini-space environment on Earth,' said Li Guanghui from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. Only a handful of countries have mastered this tech!
From Blueprint to Launchpad in 8 Months ⏱️
Construction wrapped in record time as China races toward its 2030 manned lunar landing target. The stand already tested components for the Long March-10 rocket – set to carry the Mengzhou crew spacecraft and Lanyue lunar lander.
🔭 What's next? More trials for moon-bound systems, with June 2024 seeing successful first-stage propulsion tests. Game on, Artemis Generation! 🌍🚀
