2020年將是中國航天業忙碌的一年

2019年12月27日，我國最強大的運載火箭長征五號從海南文昌航天發射場點火升空，開始了它最新一次的太空征程。

長征五號遙三火箭上搭載有實踐二十號技術試驗衛星。這顆超過8噸重的衛星是我國目前重量最大、技術最先進的通信衛星。約33分鐘后，這顆衛星進入了距地面約36000公里的預定軌道。

這次的成功發射為中國未來的一系列空間項目奠定了基礎，包括火星探測、月球采樣返回以及航天空間站建設等，中國國家航天局副局長吳艷華在接受新華社采訪時如此表示。

據新華社報道，實踐二十號衛星將對“東五平臺”（中國新一代大型衛星平臺）的主要關鍵技術進行驗證，并提供通信和廣播服務。

2016年11月3日，長征五號在文昌首飛成功。該火箭長約57米，相當于一棟20層大樓的高度。長征五號比我國先前的運載火箭都要大。其起飛重量約870噸，總推力超過1000噸。

長征五號的運載力與全球其他大型火箭不相上下。中國運載火箭技術研究院院長王小軍在接受新華社采訪時表示，長征五號火箭在大幅提升我國自主進入空間能力的同時，也為未來構筑我國新一代運載火箭系列型譜以及發展重型運載火箭奠定了堅實的基礎。

設計團隊努力對該火箭進行了減重優化。比如，火箭結構強度分析設計師李林生介紹，火箭某些部分的外殼厚度僅為幾毫米?！霸?020年，我們計劃用長征五號發射嫦娥五號月球探測器，以及發射火星探測器等，”王小軍表示，“執行后續各項任務的火箭正在開展各項測試工作。”

繼2018年中國運載火箭發射次數成為全球第一之后，2019年中國繼續保持這一勢頭，進行了33次火箭入軌發射。

對于我國航天業而言，2020年也將是忙碌的一年。長征五號B、長征八號、快舟十一號、捷龍二號等多型新一代運載火箭也將相繼迎來首飛。

China’s biggest and most powerful carrier rocket, the Long March 5, kicked off its latest space mission on Dec 27, 2019 at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province.

The rocket, coded as Long March 5 Y3, carried the Shijian 20 technological experiment satellite. At more than eight tons, it is the heaviest and most advanced communications satellite yet built by China.

About 33 minutes later, the satellite entered its planned orbit, 36,000 kilometers above Earth.

The success of the flight will lay the foundation for a series of future Chinese space projects. These include exploring Mars, returning moon samples and constructing a space station, Wu Yanhua, deputy director of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), told Xinhua.

The Shijian 20 satellite will test the key technologies of the DFH 5 platform, China’s new-generation large satellite platform, and offer communication and broadcasting service, according to Xinhua.

The Long March 5 made its maiden flight on Nov 3, 2016 from Wenchang.The rocket is about 57 meters long, equivalent to the height of a 20-story building. The Long March 5 is much larger than China’s previous carrier rockets. It has a takeoff weight of about 870 tons and a thrust of more than 1,000 tons.

The carrying capacity of the Long March 5 rocket equals that of other large-scale rockets in the global industry. Wang Xiaojun, president of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, told Xinhua this will greatly improve China’s ability to launch spacecraft and set up the future development of new-generation carrier rockets and heavy-lift launch vehicles.

The design team made efforts to decrease the weight of the rocket. For instance, the thickness of the rocket shell in some parts is only a few millimeters, according to Li Linsheng, a structural strength analysis designer.

“In 2020, we will use the Long March 5 to launch the Chang’e 5 probe to the moon and also send a rovertoward Mars,” Wang Xiaojun said. “Rockets to fulfill these missions are in the testing phases.”

China will continue to be the world’s most frequent user of carrier rockets after gaining the title in 2018, with 33 successful launches in 2019.

2020 is also expected to be a busy one for the nation’s space launch industry. A host of new types of rockets, such as the Long March 5B, Long March 8, Smart Dragon 2 and Kuaizhou 11, will make theirdebuts.