Latest news with #CASC
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
China's lunar lander aces touchdown and takeoff tests ahead of planned 2030 crewed moon mission (video)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. China's plan to launch astronauts to the moon has taken a major step forward. The country subjected its "Lanyue" two-person lunar lander to a comprehensive landing and takeoff verification test this week at a unique facility in Huailai County, in northern China's Hebei Province. Lanyue, whose name means "embracing the moon," is a crew-carrying lunar descent and ascent vehicle that's being developed for China's first human lunar exploration mission, which is slated to occur before 2030. Key step The test, completed on Aug. 6, represents a key step in the development of China's human lunar exploration program. It marked the first time that China has carried out a trial for the off-Earth landing and takeoff of a crew-carrying spacecraft, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). Such testing appraises the performance of the moon lander under different scenarios throughout the landing and takeoff processes. "For instance, during the launch phase, we need to verify its launch payload. So we conducted large-scale mechanical tests to ensure a smooth transition in the extremely complex environment during the launch," Huang Zhen, from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), told the state-run broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV). CASC is responsible for the development and launch of the rockets and spacecraft for the China Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP). At present, CASC is also advancing follow-on tasks for CLEP. Top priority: safety Lanyue can carry two crew members to the moon's surface and is also equipped to transport a lunar rover and scientific payloads. Safety of astronauts is always the top priority, said Huang. "For example, the lander has multiple engines that are arranged in a redundant configuration to back up each other. In the event of a failure of any single engine, [the remaining engines] can safely bring the astronauts back to the lunar orbit, enabling them to return home on Earth," Huang told CCTV. According to CCTV, during the test, Lanyue's engines were ignited, mimicking the probe's landing on the moon and subsequent takeoff. "The test validated the lander's landing and takeoff system, control plan, lunar contact shutdown procedures, and the compatibility of interfaces between subsystems, including guidance, navigation control (GNC) and propulsion," CCTV reported. RELATED STORIES — How China plans to put astronauts on the moon by 2030 (video) — China names the spacecraft that will put its astronauts on the moon (video) — 'We want to get there first and claim that for America': NASA chief explains push for nuclear reactor on the moon (video) Minimize weight "For our manned space missions, we must ensure that astronauts land on the lunar surface very comfortably and smoothly, which necessitates high standards for the lander's cushioning and landing performance. The lander is equipped with four landing legs, all designed to provide excellent cushioning during landing," Huang told CCTV. "The lander undertakes a multitude of tasks, presenting significant design challenges. Every bit of weight has to play a role in several functions, so we have to achieve [the] ultimate in integrated design and lightweight construction," Huang added. "We have employed every possible method to minimize weight, achieving the most complex and sophisticated design purpose with the least launch weight."
India Today
6 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Rs 67,000 crore plan approved to enhance operational capability of Armed forces
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Tuesday approved proposals worth approximately Rs 67,000 crore to upgrade the operational capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces. The decisions cover key acquisitions and upgrades for the Army, Navy, and the Air Force, an official statement the Army, the DAC approved the procurement of Thermal Imager-based Night Sights for drivers of BMP infantry vehicles. This move is aimed at enhancing the nighttime mobility of mechanised infantry units, improving their operational effectiveness during low-visibility Navy will get a boost with the procurement of Compact Autonomous Surface Craft (CASC), which are designed for anti-submarine warfare. These unmanned vessels will boost the Navy's ability to detect, identify, and neutralise underwater threats. Additionally, the Navy will receive updated BrahMos missile fire control systems and launchers, along with an upgrade to the existing BARAK-1 missile system, improving its point defence a significant move to enhance air surveillance and defence, the Air Force will procure advanced Mountain Radars. These radars are designed to improve monitoring and threat detection along India's mountainous DAC also cleared the upgradation of the SAKSHAM/SPYDER weapon systems, allowing them to be integrated with the Integrated Air Command and Control System, thereby strengthening the overall air defence three services—Army, Navy, and Air Force—will benefit from the acquisition of Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted drones are capable of carrying multiple weapons and payloads, and can operate over long distances for extended durations. Their deployment will significantly enhance surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat readiness around the addition to new acquisitions, the DAC also approved long-term maintenance and support measures for critical existing systems. This includes support for the Air Force's C-17 and C-130J transport aircraft fleets, as well as a comprehensive annual maintenance contract for the S-400 long-range air defence missile the proposals fall under the 'Acceptance of Necessity' category, marking the first step in the procurement approvals reflect India's continued push towards enhancing self-reliance in defence and strengthening the capabilities of its armed forces across all domains.- Ends
South China Morning Post
29-06-2025
- South China Morning Post
Video teases new Chinese blackout bomb that can knock out enemy power stations
China's state broadcaster posted a video on Thursday featuring what appeared to be a new type of graphite bomb that it said could knock out enemy power stations and cause a 'complete loss of electricity' across a targeted area. A social media channel run by CCTV shared an animated video showing the weapon being launched from a land-based vehicle before ejecting 90 cylinder-shaped submunitions. These canisters bounced upon impact before detonating mid-air, dispersing fine, chemically treated carbon filaments designed to short-circuit high-voltage power infrastructure The weapon aims to disrupt enemy command and control systems by triggering widespread electrical outages over an area of at least 10,000 square metres (107,639 sq ft), according to the channel. CCTV cited an account from the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) , a contractor affiliated with the Ministry of National Defence. However, the broadcaster offered no details about the weapon's designation or its status. It referred to the weapon as 'a mysterious type of domestically made missile'. It remains unclear which stage of development it has reached, or if it has been deployed by the Chinese military.
NDTV
17-06-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Inside China's 'Low-Cost' Arms Exports, Serving Everyone From Pak To West Africa
During Operation Sindoor, the Pakistani armed forces displayed their 'Made in China' export-variant arsenal. This included the use of the HQ-9P and HQ-16 surface-to-air missiles, the PL-15E air-to-air missile, the JL-10CE fighter, and the co-produced JF-17 'Thunder' Block III jet. Pakistan is China's biggest client, accounting for 63% of China's total arms export basket between 2020 and 2024. From a Pakistani perspective, China accounts for 81% of its defence imports. China's arms exports to Pakistan are one part of a complex military production, export, and diplomacy ecosystem that Beijing has built. Over the years, China has focused on becoming self-reliant in the defence manufacturing domain. This process has included making export variants of major weapons. That said, there are challenges that China faces in its defence export agenda. These include political issues and quality-related concerns that make Beijing the lesser-preferred option over the world's top three defence exporters: the US, Russia, and France. Nonetheless, China's defence export market is expanding. And this has significant implications for India. Growing Military-Industrial Complex China's military-industrial complex comprises a few, large corporations that focus on innovation and self-reliance. These primarily include the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), and China North Industries Group Corporation (NORINCO). They are all State-Owned Defence Enterprises, largely under the administrative control of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of the State Council. Many of them have been on the Global Fortune 500 lists, and together, they own over 2000 subsidiaries, R&D labs, listed companies and global branch institutions. NORINCO International Ltd., for example, owns oil fields in Iraq and operates R&D and manufacturing facilities in Saudi Arabia. These entities operate on the concept of 'Military-Civil Fusion'. This means that their production cycles conform to the operational requirements of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), and most commercial/civilian products can also be deployed for military purposes at the Party-state's request. Hence, these firms concentrate their expertise on a particular industrial cluster of importance to the PLA. The CETC, for example, is the PLA's primary radar, communications infrastructure, and electronics supplier. AVIC, and specifically, its main subsidiary, the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG), has its hand in the production of most of China's J-series fighter jets. CSSC, which is the world's largest shipbuilding group, produces most of the PLA Navy's warships. Together, CAIG, CASIC and CASC have also produced most of China's military drones, such as the CH 'Rainbow' series, the Wing Loong series, and the Wuzhen High-Altitude, Long Endurance (HALE) UAV series. The agenda and priorities for defence production, R&D and safety and quality are laid down by China's chief regulatory body in the military-industrial domain, the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND). Naturally, defence production must comply with SASTIND's technological, safety and quality certification standards. In addition, party and government institutions like the Ministry of Industry and IT, Ministry of Commerce, and the Logistics Department of the Central Military Commission, together lay down regulations regarding ideological commitment of defence SOEs, innovation and export control, and management of talent. China's Export Philosophy Since 2022, China's defence budget has consistently witnessed a year-on-year rise of 7.2%. A significant chunk of this money goes into producing defence goods. Of course, part of this expansion of defence production is driven by a profit motive, with Chinese weapons finding their way to warring parties. An example is Myanmar, where Chinese arms are available to both the junta government, and the Rakhine-based insurgent group, the 'Brotherhood Alliance'. Sometimes, China is also a supplier of last resort for entities seeking low-cost military equipment. One example is Pakistan, which has imported low-cost export variants of the Chengdu J-10C fighter jet. Many of these entities, however, have also included non-state actors such as insurgent groups in Chad and Syria, who were found to be in possession of the Chinese-made FN-6 Man-Portable Air Defence System (MANPADS). Despite the controversies arising from such sales, China veils its exports and uses 'non-interference' in internal matters of other countries as justification. A 'Technological Gap' It is worth noting that Beijing only prioritises international sales of export variant arms, which are usually of lower quality, and keeps the most advanced and efficient defence systems for itself. Chinese commentators also seem to acknowledge that even though China has a cost advantage with a few arms and ammunition, there exists a 'technological gap' and a lack of competitiveness against Western alternatives in major arms, such as fighter jets, aircraft carriers, and large warships. Hence, Beijing believes in maintaining loyal clients, who are developing economies with restricted international options. This can explain why, in addition to Pakistan, China has emerged as the largest arms supplier for West Africa too, accounting for 26% of the region's arms imports in the last five years. It is establishing a footprint in the Middle East as well, but is not a dominant player yet. Further, China entangles arms sales with defence cooperation and norm entrepreneurship in global security. Xi Jinping's flagship Global Security Initiative (GSI) aims to do just this. Many GSI-friendly countries have become China's top arms importers. With economies in the ASEAN and Indian Ocean Region (IOR), China has penned joint military cooperation agreements, which provide its arms and ammunition exports a boost. For example, in the aftermath of the recent establishment of a China-Indonesia Joint Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue on April 21, 2025, Jakarta announced that it is finalising a deal to buy 42 J-10CE fighters from Beijing. Further, with hard basing in Djibouti and likely soft basing in areas like Cambodia's Ream Naval base and Myanmar's Kyaukphyu port, Chinese troops and naval vessels are finding homes abroad and are testing capabilities in the Indian Ocean. Changing Export Basket For the longest time, China specialised in the sales of military-grade Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), which include MANPADS, guided anti-tank weapons, mortars and cannons, rifles, and machine guns. Until 2012, most of these weapons went to developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Nigeria, and Venezuela. More recently, China's defence export products have featured an extensive arsenal of submarines, aircraft, missiles, and artillery, uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), electronic, communications, and light vehicle components. Since 2011-12, China has gained substantial traction in drone exports. In civilian space, China is already the world's largest producer and exporter of drones. Between 2017 and 2024, the UAE, Serbia, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, DR Congo, and Pakistan were some of the largest importers of China's armed, surveillance & reconnaissance, and attack UAVs. In terms of exports of missile technology, China delivered 896 FN-6 portable surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) to Pakistan in 2021, 200 of the QW-11 SAMs to Bangladesh in 2024, and a total of 390+ SAMs and anti-ship/ land attack missiles of various classes to Cambodia. In terms of maritime defence, China's most infamous CSSC shipyards have been the largest suppliers of naval hulls to US allies like Singapore. Since 2010, more than 70% of Bangladesh's defence imports have also come from China. These include two submarines positioned at BNS Pekua, and purchased by Dhaka for a price of $203 million. It is evident that China is expanding its arms export market share, albeit at a slow rate. India's main concerns, however, remain the actors who are acquiring Chinese weaponry and their level of dependence. Especially in India's immediate neighbourhood, Pakistan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are emerging as China's key defence clients. This presages the PLA's enhanced presence in the region. (Manoj Kewalramani is the Chairperson of the Indo-Pacific Studies Programme at the Takshashila Institution. Anushka Saxena is a Research Analyst with Takshashila's Indo-Pacific Studies Programme.)
Gizmodo
10-06-2025
- Science
- Gizmodo
China Set for Critical Orbital Refueling Test With 2 U.S. Satellites Watching Closely
Two Chinese satellites are about to rendezvous in geostationary orbit, docking with one another for an experimental demonstration that could extend the longevity of spacecraft. Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 performed a series of maneuvers this past weekend, reaching a close distance of just two degrees of longitude from one another on Monday, according to space situational awareness company COMSPOC. The pair are set to meet on Wednesday for a docking procedure for China's first on-orbit refueling test in geostationary orbit (GEO), acting like a space gas station to extend the lifespan of satellites. China's satellites aren't alone, however, as two U.S. surveillance spacecraft are lurking nearby to watch it all happen, with the Pentagon fearing the technology could represent a significant milestone in China's space ambitions. The two satellites were developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, a subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. Shijian-25 launched in January while Shijian-21 lifted off earlier in 2021. Around a year after its launch, Shijian-21 docked with a defunct Chinese satellite, the Beidou-2 G2 navigation satellite, and towed it to the graveyard orbit above GEO, SpaceNews reported at the time. Since then, Shijian-21 appeared to have run out of fuel—until it recently sprang back to life with maneuvers of its own to get closer to Shijian-25. It's likely the target of the in-orbit refueling test, in which Shijian-25 will attempt to transfer about 313 pounds (142 kilograms) of hydrazine to extend the satellite's life by eight years, according to Universe Today. The refueling test has raised concerns in the U.S. about China's growing space capabilities, prompting officials to closely monitor the situation. Two surveillance satellites, USA 270 and USA 271, part of the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program, performed maneuvers of their own to approach the vicinity of the Chinese satellites, according to COMSPOC. 'While these U.S. assets aren't directly involved, their proximity adds complexity to the local SSA picture — and raises strategic awareness concerns,' the company wrote on X. The U.S. has previously carried out in-orbit refueling tests of its own. In 2019, Northrop Grumman refueled a satellite in space to extend its lifespan by five years, becoming the first company to do so. The U.S. Space Force is also preparing its own set of orbital refueling tests, known as Tetra-5 and Tetra-6, using hardware from Northrop Grumman and other commercial suppliers. For now, the U.S. will stick to watching its space rival carry out the orbital maneuver from a safe distance.
