China boosts Lunar and Mars mission capabilities with advanced Long March rockets

Long March 10 is designed to support the launch of new manned spacecraft and lunar landers as part of China's lunar landing program. According to Long, who is also an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the development of the rocket is advancing steadily and has already achieved major milestones, including successful tests of its first-stage power system.

In addition to its lunar mission capabilities, the Long March 10 serves as a versatile platform. Configurations derived from this rocket will support manned and cargo missions for China's space station operations, as well as various satellite launch requirements.

Long also provided updates on the Long March 9, a heavy-lift carrier rocket under development. This vehicle will feature a 10.6-meter diameter, a height of approximately 114 meters, and an unprecedented lunar transfer orbit payload capacity of 50 tonnes. The Long March 9 is expected to play a key role in future manned Mars missions, thanks to its advanced cryogenic propellants-liquid oxygen and methane.

Both stages of the Long March 9 have been designed for full reusability, with sea recovery capabilities. An animated video showcased during the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition illustrated these features, including the first stage's deployment of grid fins for controlled descent and its capture by offshore platform rails. The second stage was depicted performing a powered vertical landing.

Long emphasized that the development of the Long March 9 will provide critical support for advancements in associated industries such as high-end manufacturing, advanced design, raw materials, and specialized components.