CMSA Names Lunar Surface Hardware, GalaxySpace Demos Direct-to-Device, More Launch Infrastructure
After the Spring Festival China's space sector is back in full swing.
With the Spring Festival (春节) over China’s space sector is back at work with progress on a variety of technologies. Various rockets have had their launch infrastructure either revealed or expanded, while one company has demonstrated a direct-to-device connection, and new names have been chosen for lunar surface hardware.
CMSA names lunar spacesuit and crewed rover
China Manned Space Agency announced on February 12th that after receiving over 9,000 submissions they had selected the names for China’s lunar spacesuit and crewed lunar rover. The lunar spacesuit that taikonauts will wear is named Wangyu (望宇) and the crewed lunar rover is called Tansuo (探索).
When translated into English, Wangyu means gazing towards the universe, and was first shown off in late September 2024 in Chongqing at the Third Spacesuit Technology Forum. When Tansuo is translated into English it means exploration. Regarding the names, the China Manned Space Agency stated:
“The names of the lunar landing suit and the manned lunar rover have distinctive Chinese, contemporary and cultural characteristics. The name “Wangyu” implies looking into the universe and exploring the unknown, and echoes the “Flying” spacesuit [Feitian] that carries out the mission of the space station, implying that after realizing the dream of flying to the sky and building a “space home”, China's manned spaceflight has embarked on a new journey to land on the Moon and look into deep space. It also conveys China's firm position in the development of the space industry to always adhere to the peaceful use of space and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. “Exploration” implies the practice of exploring the unknown world, clearly reflecting the core mission and application value of the lunar rover to help Chinese people explore the mysteries of the Moon, and is highly compatible with the spaceflight dream of ‘exploring the vastness of the Universe, developing spaceflight and building a strong spacefaring nation’, and demonstrates the innovative spirit of China's manned spaceflight to climb to the top and improve unremittingly.”
If there are any problems with these translations please reach out and correct me.
Both Wangyu and Tansuo are currently under active development with work progressing smoothly. In coming Shenzhou missions Wangyu may be tested aboard the Tiangong Space Station.
Wenchang launch support infrastructure expands
Ahead of the Long March 8A’s maiden flight on February 11th, work on expanding the Wenchang Space Launch Site was temporarily paused allowing many photographers to get a good look at progress across the launch site.
The most obvious change at the launch site is that two new vehicle assembly buildings are approaching their maximum expected height. These assembly buildings will be utilized for an increased launch cadence of the Long March 5 series, Long March 7 series, and Long March 8 series of launch vehicles.
In support of more launches of these rockets two additional mobile launch platforms, which the rockets are stacked on, are also under construction. One of these platforms will support the Long March 5 series while the other will support the Long March 7 and Long March 8 series of rockets.
Regarding the Long March 10 series of rockets, its launch support tower’s central core has gained some height since late January with additional work taking place around it for a launch pad believed to be designated as LC-301. The vehicle assembly building for the Long March 10 series has also had construction finally begin work above ground, after completing work on a sizeable foundation.
Over in the commercial space cluster near the two Wenchang launch sites, progress on the construction of a satellite ‘super factory’ continues. The ‘super factory’ occupies an area of 60,000 square meters and is slated to begin operation in June 2025 for various customers like the GuoWang and Qianfan constellations. Wenchang’s commercial space cluster is also expected to be the home of various reusable launch vehicles assembly and refurbishing facilities, with land clearing taking place for them.
Pallas-1 debut and 2025 for Galactic Energy
Galactic Energy shared part of its plans for the coming year and highlights from last year on February 6th. In its blog post, the company quickly highlighted that its Ceres-1 launch vehicle has successfully performed sixteen missions to deliver sixty-three satellites into orbit, for twenty-four customers.
Regarding new rockets flying for the first time in 2025, Galactic Energy shared that Ceres-2 is targeting a first flight in June 2025. This rocket is expected to weigh approximately 100,000 kilograms when prepared for launch and is capable of carrying 1,600 kilograms into low Earth orbit or 1,300 kilograms to a 500-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit. Launches from both regular launch sites and sea-based launch platforms are planned.
Few details about Pallas-1 were shared but the company did state that various tests had been successfully completed along with that work is underway for the first flight. No date for this flight has been shared but it is expected to take place from the Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site. Pallas-1 is believed to weigh 220,000 kilograms fully fuelled while carrying 5,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit or 3,000 kilograms to a 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit.
A key but short part of Galactic Energy’s blog post was its Eros-1 orbital test platform. Eros-1 was launched back on June 6th 2024 atop of Ceres-1 Y13 and has spent 245 days operating on orbit, as of publication of the company’s blog post. Onboard Eros-1 for that flight is a millinewton thrust-level electric propulsion engine developed by Beijing Xingchen Space Technology Co Ltd to verify the thruster’s design.
Lastly, the company highlighted that it had completed various facilities in its launch vehicle supply chain. This includes two solid rocket assembly facilities, a rocket engine and a liquid-fuelled rocket production facility, as well as a testing base for various rocket components.
Galactic Energy itself has not stated how many launches it is hoping to achieve in 2025 but a report by Beijing People's Radio Station claims that the company will launch fourteen times, including the first flight of Pallas-1 and Ceres-2.
GalaxySpace demonstrates direct-to-device link
During a conference on February 12th GalaxySpace (银河航天) demonstrated a direct-to-device communications link with a video call between Beijing and Thailand. The test utilized a communications terminal installed on the conference center’s roof and one of the company’s satellites, of which they have a dozen.
Two days prior to the test on February 10th, Galaxy Space and True Corporation, of Thailand, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation of low Earth orbit satellite communications technology, direct-to-device communications, and space-based network solutions. The memorandum between the two companies was signed by True’s Chief Executive Officer Manat Manavutiveth and Galaxy Space’s founder Xu Ming (徐鸣).
GalaxySpace expects the cooperation between the two companies to deepen China-Thailand digital economic cooperation, strengthen the Belt and Road Initiative’s space information corridor, and share China’s high-quality commercial space developments. Meanwhile, True aims to have the collaboration enhance Thailand’s digital economy, telecommunications infrastructure, and competitiveness in various business sectors. Speaking on the collaboration Manat Manavutiveth said:
"Low-orbit satellite internet represents a significant leap forward in global communications, poised to drive transformative changes in socio-economic development both in Thailand and worldwide," — "We are thrilled that this collaboration will bring cutting-edge innovative technologies to Thai consumers."
Long March 12 Y4 engine tested
On February 8th a YF-100K engine performed a fifty-second long test to demonstrate smooth start-up, shutdown, and expected operational conditions. The engine tested is said to be for the Long March 12 Y4 mission, implying that at least three more rockets have begun production since its debut.
In the reporting about this test, it was highlighted that testing for the YF-100K engines previously needed seven days to qualify them for flight with the time now reduced to two days.
Kinetica-2 transporter-erector appears
The transporter-erector for CAS Space’s Kinetica-2 rocket appeared online recently along with the launch mount for the rocket. It is unknown where the hardware is as CAS Space has not officially said anything about it.
Based on the sole image of the transporter-erector no plumbing for fuelling the rocket is installed but various supports for the three first-stage cores and the second-stage are present. On the launch mount, various outlets for the launch pad water deluge system are installed.
If the hardware is not currently at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center it will have to be partially disassembled for shipping ahead of Kinetica-2’s debut mission in September of this year. This debut flight may carry the Qingzhou cargo resupply spacecraft.
Additionally, CAS Space completed its first Liqing-2 engine back on February 6th. Liqing-2 generates 110 tons of thrust while burning rocket-grade kerosene and liquid oxygen with a throttle range between 50% and 100%. This engine is not expected to be used on Kinetica-2’s first few flights.
Haiyang testing new launch platform
The Haiyang sea-based spaceport is believed to be conducting trials of a new larger launch platform. This launch platform is said to be capable of supporting launches of rockets like the Long March 12 and other liquid-fueled launch vehicles.