China News Network, Beijing, December 9 (Ma Shuaisha, Wang Weitong) On December 9, the Jetron III solid carrier rocket (referred to as "Jetron III" for short) successfully made its first flight in the Yellow Sea, promoting the serialization of China's solid carrier rockets, and further improving the model spectrum of China's carrier rockets.
With the exponential growth of launch demand for micro/nano satellites, small satellites, constellation networking, etc., the First Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Group, while developing a new generation of Long March series rockets, developed the Jetron series rockets using a pure business model and handed them to the holding subsidiary China Long March Fire Arrow Co., Ltd. for investment and operation. According to Jin Xin, the commander in chief of the first institute's Jetron III carrier rocket, as the second member of the Jetron series, the successful first flight of Jetron III is another masterpiece of the commercial aerospace "national team".
It is reported that the development team has developed serially on the basis of the Long March 11 rocket to build the Jetron 3 carrier rocket, and is committed to providing low-cost, batch and high-frequency launch services for low orbit satellites, helping the prosperity and development of commercial aerospace.
The fairing of domestic solid launch vehicle with the largest envelope space
In appearance, the Jetron III rocket has a "big head" to leave enough space for the payload. The researchers vividly call it "big head cover and thin neck". The diameter of the "head" fairing is 3.35 meters, while the maximum diameter of the "body" is 2.65 meters, and the minimum diameter of the "neck" is only 2 meters.
The reason why this configuration is designed is to meet the launch demand of "one arrow with many satellites" in the commercial aerospace market. Liu Wei, the deputy chief engineer of the first institute's Jielong 3 rocket model, said that the 500km solar synchronous orbit carrying capacity of the Jielong 3 rocket has reached 1.5 tons. "If there was' one bedroom 'in the rocket fairing before, now it is like' four rooms and one hall '. The rocket has the ability to launch' one arrow and many stars'."
The successful first flight of the Jetron III carrier rocket has enabled the First Academy to realize the serialization of solid carrier rockets. The 500 km solar synchronous orbit has a delivery capacity of 200kg to 1.5t, and the fairing diameter covers 1.2m to 3.35m. The gradient of delivery capacity is reasonable. The launch modes include sea launch and land vehicle launch, which can provide more flexible and economical launch services for satellite customers.
It is the first time to realize the thermal launch of Chinese carrier rocket at sea
The Jetron III carrier rocket is the first to use the marine thermal launch technology. The difference between cold emission and hot emission lies in the instant of ignition. Cold launch is to use a catapult to launch the rocket to high altitude and then ignite it. The advantage is to protect the launch platform as much as possible, but the launch capacity is limited; Thermal launch means that the rocket is pushed out of the launcher directly after the ignition of the engine.
"Compared with the cold launch of Long March 11 carrier rocket at sea, the launch speed of hot launch rocket is slower, and the launch controllability and safety are more affected by the sea conditions. Achieving a stable vertical ready launch of the rocket and controllable safe flight is the primary problem," said Wang Hui, the deputy chief designer of the ground for the Jetron 3 rocket type of the First Academy.
Due to the increase in the size of the rocket body, the Jetron III carrier rocket innovatively adopted a frame guided marine thermal launch scheme, which overcame technical problems such as the stability of the launch waiting, off frame safety, gas flow exhaust and thermal protection design. On the premise of ensuring the launch safety, it effectively shortened the launch process and reduced the launch cost.
What are the plans for future sea launches?
It is reported that the Jetron III carrier rocket will implement the launch mission in the mode of mass production and storage, and will be transported by road to the sea launch home port (Haiyang Port) for ro ro loading on the launch ship. The transportation distance will not exceed 6 kilometers, and the transportation time will not exceed 2 hours. When entering the predetermined sea area, the launch process shall not exceed 48 hours. The whole process generally takes no more than one week, which can realize the high-frequency transmission capability of one week.
"At present, we are planning a larger scale Jielong IV solid carrier rocket, with a capacity of 2.5 tons in a 500 km solar synchronous orbit, and actively exploring the maritime launch capability of liquid rockets. In the future, we will achieve more complete 'hot and cold', 'solid-liquid compatibility', 'fixed+mobile', and 'multiple launches at a time to sea' maritime launch capabilities." Jin Xin said.
In addition, China Long March Rocket Co., Ltd. will start the construction of the solid carrier rocket assembly test base in Haiyang, Shandong Province from 2020. The first phase project in 2021 has been delivered to meet the annual production capacity of 10 rockets. The second phase project will be completed in 2023, which will meet the annual production capacity of 20 rockets and the turnover and storage capacity of 3 rockets, Greatly improve the launching capability of solid rockets, and truly realize high-frequency and batch launching at sea.
The advantages of safe, flexible and efficient sea launch have been tested through the sea launch of Long March 11 and Jetron 3 carrier rockets. The landing area is safe, the launch track is flexible and the launch efficiency is high. At present, Shandong Dongfang Space Port is building a more professional sea launch ship, striving to achieve multiple launches at one time, demonstrating a fixed launch platform at sea, continuously reducing the requirements for rockets at sea, and improving the economy and flexibility of sea launch. (End)
