Space & Astronomy

China to build nuclear-powered space shuttle

By T.K. Randall
November 17, 2017 ·  6 comments

China has some ambitious plans for the future. Image Credit: CMSE According to CASC (China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation), China is aiming to become a global leader in the aerospace industry over the next three decades.

In the shorter term, CASC will be developing a new rocket - Long March 8 - for placing satellites in to orbit, followed by a reusable spaceplane project aimed at the space tourism sector by 2025.

By 2035, there are also plans to ensure that all of its rockets and launch vehicles are reusable.Perhaps the most interesting (and ambitious) of all however is China's goal of creating a nuclear space shuttle by 2040 as part of a whole new line of technologically advanced space vehicles.

In addition to traveling throughout the solar system, these spacecraft will make it possible to mine asteroids as well as to construct what has been described as a "space-based solar power station."

Whether any of this will actually come to pass however remains to be seen.

Source: IB Times | Comments (6)

Tags: China, Space Shuttle