Project 921-3
| Description | |
|---|---|
| Role: | Reusable launch vehicle space plane project |
| Crew: | |
| Dimensions | |
| Length: | 32 m |
| Wingspan: | |
| Mass: | 140 t |
| Payload: | 4 t |
Project 921-3 is Manned Spacecraft sub-system of Project 921. The term 921-3 is often used for the Chinese space shuttle program.
The Chinese National Manned Space Program was given the designation of Project 921 in 1992. This broad project was divided into three phases: 921/1 to launch a manned mission by 2002 in a craft that became the Shenzhou, the Project 921/2 temporary space station by 2010, and the 921/3 permanent space station by 2020. Care must be taken not to confuse the 3 phases of Project 921 with its 7 sub-systems (921-1, 921-2 ... 921-7).
Early planning of Project 921 included 6 different proposals for a manned space transportation system. Five of these proposals were of a space-earth transportation system using a delta winged orbiter. By 1990, the proposal for the Soyuz-like capsule Shenzhou had won out.
Some small models for a space plane were made public, but the concept was rejected in favor of a Soyuz-like capsule which became Shenzhou. Concepts for a space shuttle now are only academic. There is no known Chinese government support beyond very basic research for a space plane.
Photographs of a two-seat spaceplane simulator were published after 1980, probably belonging to a Chinese Dynasoar-like vehicle. Reports of the existence of a wind tunnel model have continued since then.
After 1986 the Air Ministry starts its 869 Project regarding space plane concepts. Up to 1990, the several space-shuttle proposals studied were:
The latest academic models shown in 2000, reveal a delta winged spaceplane with a single vertical stabilizer, equipped with three high-expansion engines. Presuming a seating arrangement of two crew members siting side-by-side in the cockpit, dimensions could be very roughly estimated as a wingspan of 8 m, a length of 12 m and a total mass of 12 tonnes. This is within the payload capability of the Chinese CZ-2E(A) or Type A launch vehicles.
During the 2006 Zhuhai Airshow, pictures of a totally new space vehicle developed by the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics(北京航空航天大学) were published.
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