Chinese space engineers hope to launch their Moon rocket, the super-heavy Long March 9, in 2028. They do not have approval for full-scale development but have been doing much preliminary work. The latest result from that appeared in early August, when engineers of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. (CASC) conducted what they are calling a successful test firing of the country's most powerful solid-propellant motor. The 3-m-dia. (10-ft-dia.) motor-also the largest achieved by China-would satisfy the needs of a manned lunar exploration program, says CASC. It was built in two segments, so it also demonstrated a design for sealing at that diameter.
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