China has successfully developed and delivered its first 5-meter-diameter composite rocket module, marking the largest composite structure ever produced domestically for a reusable launch vehicle. The module was developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology under China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
China's first 5-meter-diameter rocket module made of composite materials rolled off the production line, becoming the largest composite section ever made domestically for any reusable launch vehicle. The product marks a major manufacturing technical breakthrough that will be used in an important national space project.
According to the academy, more than 60 percent of the module is made of composite materials. Its lightweight wall panels can withstand an axial load of 1,000 metric tons and the module is equipped with self-adaptive adjustment interfaces.
The research team overcame multiple technical challenges in the high-precision and high-quality manufacturing of large-scale new composite structures, completing the entire manufacturing process from conceptual design to final production and delivery in just seven months.
China has been striving to develop a fleet of reusable rockets that can dramatically reduce launch costs and improve the efficiency and frequency of space missions. The Beijing academy is expected to carry out a major recovery test of its reusable rocket model in coming months.
Source: spacechina.com
