China announces new rocket plans
1 November 2007
China announced that it will build a new family of rockets to aid its space exploration ambitions, AP reported. The new Long March 5 rockets that will be able to carry a heavier load, comprising communication satellites and lunar probes, than current versions. The rockets will be made in the northeastern city of Tianjin and launched from a new base planned for construction in Hainan, and are scheduled to be launched after 2013. The new rockets will put China's launch capabilities on par with developed countries, a space official told state media. China successfully launched its first lunar probe last week, following a Japanese launch of a similar device week earlier and India's plans to do the same in April 2008.