China continues to develop its rocket and space industry and explore new directions. In recent years, special attention has been paid to reusable space systems, and it is already known about the existence of several projects of this kind. Recently, industry representatives have clarified their plans for the promising Tengyun project.
Development news
On October 19 and 20, Wuhan hosted the China International Commercial Aerospace Forum (CCAF 2020). During the event, leading Chinese space industry companies shared their latest achievements and plans for the near future. Several important news were announced by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp. (CASIC).
It is reported that the corporation continues to work on the Tengyun reusable space system, and the design will take several more years. In 2025, CASIC plans to conduct the first full flight of this system into orbit. The terms of the start of operation have not yet been specified.
The technical details and main characteristics of the Tengyun product have not yet been disclosed. However, this time they published a video of the system at different stages of the flight. It shows the system as a whole and its individual components, general architecture and operating principles.
On development stage
The existence of the Tengyun project ("Cloud Rider") was announced in 2016. Then it was reported that CASIC, represented by individual institutes, was working on a new reusable space system. According to the plans of that time, development work was to take almost a decade and a half. The first flight of the system was attributed to 2030.
In October 2017, it became known that in the near future, the PRC plans to conduct the first launch of its own reusable ship. It was going to be completed in 2020. At the same time, the type of product, its capabilities and purpose were not specified.
In 2018, the leadership of the 3rd Research Institute CASIC revealed new details. At that time, the project was in its early stages, and it took several more years to complete this work. The goal of the Tengyun project is to create an aerospace system capable of repeatedly going into orbit and returning to Earth with people and cargo on board.
It was about a system consisting of an accelerator aircraft and a reusable spacecraft. Such a complex will be able to take off from almost any airfield, go to the most convenient launch area and launch a space "plane" for launching into orbit. After that, the scavenger must return to the base. Upon completion of the mission, the Tengyun apparatus must perform a horizontal landing at the airfield.
In the fall of 2018, it became known about successful experiments related to the reusable system. In the wind tunnel, the separation of the accelerator and the space plane was worked out. When the elements of the system are uncoupled, a sharp change in the flow occurs, which can lead to an accident. Chinese scientists have managed to work out this issue and create an effective aircraft separation system.
In September 2020, the first launch of an experimental reusable spacecraft took place in China. This was probably the start announced back in 2017. There is no information about the connection of this launch with the Tengyun project, but its refutation has not appeared either.
According to recent news, the design of the Tengyun system is still ongoing, but the first flight will take place in 2025. It is quite possible that some progress has been made recently, which has made it possible to adjust the project schedule downward. Previously, the first flight was planned in 2030, and now it has been postponed five years to the left. It is quite possible that they will be able to start full-fledged operation in the previously appointed time.
Complex of the future
The published materials show the possible appearance of the future Tengyun system. In terms of its architecture and the appearance of its components, it resembles some foreign developments, but this can be explained by the closeness of the requirements and solutions used.
The ascent and initial acceleration of the space stage must be carried out by a special aircraft. A tailless machine with a delta wing and two keels is offered. The power plant includes four turbojet engines in two nacelles under the wing. To solve its tasks, the booster aircraft must be supersonic and high-altitude.
On top of the booster, on a specially provided flat area, a space plane is placed. In promotional materials, it has an elongated, large cross-section fuselage with a rounded nose cone. The use of a delta wing and a V-shaped tail unit is proposed. In the tail is the only main engine nozzle. Parts of the airframe exposed to high temperature loads have the necessary protection and are distinguished by their black color.
CASIC does not disclose the technical characteristics of the system, which contributes to the emergence of curious estimates and forecasts. Such assumptions are partially confirmed by the characteristic features of the appearance of the Tengyun system and foreign experience in the development of reusable space systems.
According to some versions and rumors, the booster plane may be hypersonic. To achieve such characteristics, it must have a combined power plant, combining turbojet and direct-flow components. The hypersonic speed of the booster, with all the difficulty of obtaining it, will reduce the load on the spacecraft's engines and will reduce the fuel supply, freeing up the volumes for the payload.
The presence of such technologies in China has not been confirmed, but it has not been refuted either. At the same time, it is known about various studies and promising projects of rocket technology using advanced technologies and assemblies. It is possible that fundamentally new components are being created for the Tengyun system, incl. special engines.
Applications
The developers of the project mention the main capabilities of the promising complex "Tengyun", but do not disclose the real tasks that it will have to solve. At the same time, when talking about its space developments, China traditionally talks about their peaceful and scientific nature and purpose.
The space plane will be able to take cargo and people on board and deliver them to various orbits. It can be used in independent missions of all kinds, both scientific and military. The device will be able to ensure the operation of space stations, delivering crews and cargo. In addition, Tengyun is theoretically capable of launching light satellites into orbit or returning such equipment to Earth.
It is very likely that the new complex - upon successful completion of the project - will find application in all these areas. The Chinese rocket and space industry is actively developing, and it needs any new means with certain advantages and characteristic capabilities.
Struggle for leadership
To date, several projects of aerospace systems of the Tengyun type have been developed, but none of them has yet progressed beyond preliminary tests. Almost all such projects were closed due to the high complexity and lack of decisive advantages over other rocket and space technology.
Currently, in different countries, several projects of aerospace systems of different architectures with different capabilities are being created. These projects are expected to yield tangible results in the foreseeable future. Any of the new developments has a chance to reach testing and real operation - and become the most successful in its class.
The PRC has joined this race and is working on its reusable system. Within five years, it is planned to conduct the first test flight, and by the beginning of the next decade, full-fledged operation may begin. Thus, China with its Tengyun project has a chance to become a world leader. However, as in other advanced areas, this will not be easy and will require a lot of effort and competence.
