China develops largest rocket propellant tank
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Xinhua, January 12, 2012
China has successfully developed its largest rocket propellant tank, which will be used to contain hydrogen fuel for the country's Long March-5 carrier rocket, the tank's developer said Wednesday.
The homegrown rocket tank, measuring five meters in diameter and 20-plus meters in length, consists of bottom parts and eight tubular sections, which are welded together, according to the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.
The academy made a major technological breakthrough in the welding of such a massive-sized fuel tank, it said, adding that developing and manufacturing a propellant tank are among the most difficult tasks in building a rocket.
According to a government white paper issued last month, China will develop next-generation launch vehicles, including Long March-5, Long March-6 and Long March-7, in the 2011-2015 period.
The Long March-5 will use a non-toxic and pollution-free propellant, and will be capable of placing a 25-tonne payload into near-Earth orbit, or placing a 14-tonne payload into geostationary orbit, the paper said.
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