07 March 2019
Yutu 2 rover has conducted scientific detection on some stones on the far side of the moon, which might help scientists find out whether they are from outer space or native to the Moon. Scientists said the rover has conducted scientific detection on its tracks and nearby stones. The largest stone detected has a diameter of about 20 cm, and the rover came as close as 1.2 meters to it. Experts from the National Space Science Center (NSSC) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) said they want to figure out the origin of the stones, whether they are aboriginal on the Moon, or meteorites from outer space. If they are aboriginal, what is the physical process of their formation?
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04 March 2019
Euan McKirdy and Nanlin Fang of CNN are giving an overview on what is known about China's space power plant ambitions and which potential this technology has for terrestrial use: "China says it is working to develop a solar energy plant in space that could one day beam enough power back to Earth to light up an entire city. If scientists can overcome the formidable technical challenges, the project would represent a monumental leap in combating the Earth's addiction to dirty power sources which worsen air pollution and global warming."
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05 March 2019
Online webportal GPS World reported that a Chinese cargo ship, the Rongda Changsha, equipped with receivers downloading signals from the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), arrived at Brunei, on the north coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia, in February after embarking from Luojing Port in Shanghai. This marks the first public successful application of BeiDou terminal products in the South China Sea and unveils China’s ambition to promote BeiDou products in the international marketplace. The Shanghai-Brunei trip was a trial for not only examining BeiDou-3’s capacity, but for learning the users’ experience and needs. The data collected from the trip has been analysed and applied for updating and prioritizing the marine navigation system, according to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), manufacturer of the Beidou receivers on the ship.
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05 March 2019
China announced on 5 March that the country's new solid rocket booster, propelled by a 200-tonne thrust engine, completed hot firing tests, proving its readiness for commercial launches. With a diameter of 2.65 meters, the booster engine is expected to be used on the modified version of the Long March-11 rocket. The rocket is the only series in the Long March family that uses solid propellants, and it can be launched within 24 hours.
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05 March 2019
The Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer, Smile, has been given the green light for implementation by ESA’s Science Programme Committee. The announcement clears the way for full development of this new mission to explore the Sun-Earth connection, which will be conducted in collaboration with China.
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05 March 2019
China's first carrier rocket for commercial use is scheduled to make its maiden flight in the first half of 2019, according to the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT). The rocket, named Smart Dragon-1 (SD-1), is the first member of the Dragon series commercial carrier rockets family to be produced by CALVT, as China accelerates the development of commercial space industry.
China's current carrier rockets all belong to the Long March family.
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