On December 10, 2024, significant advancements in China's space program were reported, with the Long March 8A rocket being prepared for its journey to the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan province. This upgraded version of the Long March 8 is specifically designed to support large-scale constellation networks in medium- and low-Earth orbits. According to Song Zhengyu, chief designer at CALT, the Long March 8A boasts enhanced performance, reduced costs, and improved reliability.
The development of the Long March 8A took 28 months and included 44 major ground tests, addressing various technological challenges, as stated by chief commander Xiao Yun. Confidence in the upcoming launch mission remains high.
Additionally, the Long March 10 rocket is progressing steadily, aimed at supporting China's lunar landing program with capabilities for manned spacecraft and lunar landers. Major milestones, including successful tests of its first-stage power system, have been achieved. This rocket will also facilitate missions for China's space station and various satellite launches.
The Long March 9, a heavy-lift carrier rocket under development, is expected to play a crucial role in future manned Mars missions. With a diameter of 10.6 meters and a height of approximately 114 meters, it will feature a lunar transfer orbit payload capacity of 50 tonnes. Both stages of the Long March 9 are designed for full reusability, incorporating sea recovery capabilities.
In a related development, Panama and Austria are set to sign the Artemis Accords on December 11, 2024, marking the 50th signatory of this international agreement aimed at promoting safe and sustainable exploration of space. The signing will take place at NASA Headquarters in Washington, with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson addressing the media afterward. The Artemis Accords, established in 2020, are grounded in the Outer Space Treaty and emphasize responsible behavior in space exploration.