China to build nuclear-powered spacecraft by 2040

[LovecraftianMonstrosity]

It's all part of a new roadmap that aims to make China the world leader in the space sector.

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for China's space program. This week, the GB Times reports that the company released an ambitious roadmap for China's space aspirations that could carry the country through 2040 and beyond.

It starts with the expansion of the Long March rocket family, which has been in operation since 1970. Long March 8, a low-cost rocket, should be ready by 2020, which will boost the CASC's plans to compete in the commercial space sector by selling its launch services to other countries. After that, CASC plans to have a reusable space plane ready by 2025, which will be used primarily for space tourism.

The Long March 9 should be ready for its first flight by 2030. This is a heavy-lift rocket that will be capable of putting over 100 tons into low Earth orbit. By comparison, the Falcon Heavy, SpaceX's heavy lift rocket that should debut late this year or early next year, has a capacity of 140,660 lbs (around 70 tons).

Continued at:

China wants to build a nuclear-powered space shuttle by 2040

 

[Lark]

One of their subs will just fly up the sky...

 

[Population: 1]

Damn and it’s invisible? Game over. Game over man!