Long March 8 Rocket Begins Combined Training in Hainan After Facing Two Typhoons
Hainan, China – The Long March 8 (CZ-8) rocket, a key component of China’s ambitious space program, has commenced combined training at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan, marking a significant steptowards its next launch. The rocket, which has already endured two typhoon challenges since its arrival at the launch site, is now undergoing a series of tests and simulations to ensure itsreadiness for a successful mission.
According to an official statement from the Hainan Space Launch Center, the CZ-8 rocket’s combined training team successfully transferred the core stage and second stage, equipped with pyrotechnics, from the technicalarea to the launch area at 6:00 AM on October 31st. The rocket was then seamlessly integrated with the fairing, followed by a smooth lift-off and star-rocket docking process. This marks the beginning ofa week-long combined training session focused on fueling and other critical pre-launch procedures.
Developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), the CZ-8 rocket boasts a unique two-and-a-half-stage configuration. It comprises a 3.35-meter diameter kerosene-oxygen core stage, a 3-meter diameter hydrogen-oxygen second stage, and two 2.25-meter diameter kerosene-oxygen booster modules. The rocket stands at an impressive 50.3 meters tall.
This combined training session introduces a novel launch mode – the improved three-vertical launch mode. This method involves transporting the rocket in three distinct segments: the core stage and booster combination, the second stage, and the fairing combination. These segments are then vertically assembled at the launch site.
The CZ-8 rocket’s journey to this point has been marked by resilience. It faced its first major challenge inSeptember when a super typhoon forced the temporary relocation of ground equipment back to the factory. The second challenge came on October 24th, when Typhoon Taemi delayed the transfer of the rocket to the launch site by a week. Despite these setbacks, the team persevered, demonstrating the robustness of the CZ-8and the dedication of its engineers.
The CZ-8 rocket is expected to play a crucial role in China’s future space endeavors, facilitating the launch of various satellites and payloads into orbit. Its successful combined training marks a significant milestone in its journey towards its next mission, further solidifying China’s position as a leading forcein space exploration.
References:
- Hainan Space Launch Center official statement (October 31st, 2024)
- IT之家 (October 31st, 2024)
- China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) website
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