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Chinese aerospace engineers continue to draw inspiration from SpaceX technology, creating their own versions of American rockets. At the 15th China Air Show in Zhuhai, an updated design of the Long March 9 heavy rocket was presented, which should become reusable and perform tasks similar to SpaceX Starship missions.
About this reported the Space.
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One configuration of the Long March 9 will be similar to SpaceX's megarocket in design and functionality, including a two-stage structure with aerodynamic flaps for better maneuverability.
The Long March 9 first stage will receive 30 YF-215 engines that run on liquid oxygen and methane, similar to the Raptor engines on SpaceX's Super Heavy. The 114-meter-tall rocket is capable of launching up to 150 tons of payload into low Earth orbit. While Starship is already conducting test launches, Long March 9 isn't scheduled for a first flight until 2033, giving SpaceX the upper hand in developing space missions in the coming years.
Given the high similarity in technical solutions and development vector, China's Long March 9 has the potential to become one of the key systems for China's future manned missions to the Moon and other space exploration purposes.
