🚀 China’s reusable rocket boost and Ingenuity’s legacy

China’s space program is evolving at a rapid pace and the country may soon have a fleet of reusable rockets at its disposal. It’s a key step in the country’s plan to become the world’s leading space power. So NASA better step up its game

Speaking of NASA, the space agency’s Ingenuity Mars helicopter team recently met one last time to analyze the chopper’s final communication. What’s in store for the plucky little rotorcraft now? Let’s find out.

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AEROSPACE ENGINEERING SPOTLIGHT

China’s 130-ton reusable rocket engine

China is working hard to overtake the US as the world’s leading space power.

In the coming years, it could have a diverse portfolio of private and state-owned reusable rockets at its disposal. By contrast, NASA is highly reliant on SpaceX’s reusable Falcon 9 rockets.

China doesn’t have a reusable rocket yet, but it just aced an important series of engine tests. The country’s main space contractor, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (CASC), recently completed key engine tests on a 130-ton reusable liquid oxygen kerosene engine.

The two ground ignition tests took place on Saturday, April 13, according to reports from Chinese state media. CASC completed 15 repeated tests and 30 ignition starts on its new engine, with the total test duration exceeding 3,900 seconds. Those 15 repeated tests are a new record for rocket engine tests in China, according to reports.

China’s private space sector is also taking off, with companies like Galactic Energy expected to fly its reusable Pallas-1 vehicle this year. NASA has faced strong criticism for the dated technology used on its costly Space Launch System (SLS) program. And it is now facing strong competition from China’s space program.

PODCAST

Last week we asked “Would you consider boycotting Boeing?” here are the results

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ No, I’m not worried by the recent incidents (8%)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩Yes, I don’t want to risk flying on a Boeing airliner right now.(52%)

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ No, unfortunately alternative options are too limited. (17%)

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ No, I trust the FAA to ground Boeing aircraft if necessary. (23%)

AERO BULLETIN

This week, NASA’s Ingenuity mission team met for the last time. The Mars helicopter made history in 2021 by becoming the first aircraft to fly on another planet.

Earlier this year, Ingenuity damaged its rotor blades during the landing of its 72nd flight, meaning it could no longer fly.

The helicopter’s point of communication with Earth, the Perseverance rover is also driving out of range. So NASA’s Ingenuity team met for “final comms” cake and to analyze Ingenuity’s last data transfer to Earth. Here are two examples of how Ingenuity’s legacy will live on.

Ingenuity will become a Martian time capsule

Now that Ingenuity can no longer fly, it will collect weather data and capture images of the Red Planet’s surface. NASA has said it is capable of storing up to 20 year’s worth of storage for future Mars explorers to find.

NASA’s Dragonfly mission to Titan

NASA’s Dragonfly mission is expected to launch in 2028. It will send an eight-rotor aircraft to Saturn’s moon, Titan. Ingenuity’s work as an aerial scout on Mars paved the way for missions like Titan, which will allow NASA to explore the Solar System like never before.