Chang Zheng 5 Drawing: M.Bindhammer |
We have not selected a launch provider. We are exploring different options. One possibility is the California-based launch provider Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), but we also plan to contact a Chinese launch service provider, China Great Wall Industry Corp (CGWIC). Several Long March launch vehicles are available from CGWIC on a commercial basis.
China has 3 launch centers which can accommodate Long March launch vehicles including the Xichang Satellite Launch Center for geosynchronous satellites, the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center for sun synchronous and polar orbits, and, the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center for satellites heading to medium inclination orbits as well as manned flights aboard the Shenzhou spacecraft. In addition, construction will soon commence at the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan Island where an emphasis will be placed on launches involving very large payloads in particular. For example, this new launch facility will serve as the home base for all upcoming Long March 5 launches (see drawing). The Long March 5 is designed to carry payloads up to 25 tons. We are exploring the possibility of utilizing this launch vehicle during its later-stage test phase to launch our Selena 1 spacecraft in place of a dummy payload. Another rather unconventional approach we are considering involves the Chinese Chang'e 2 project which shares certain characteristics with the Google Lunar X Prize project. We are exploring the feasibility of using a variant of Chang'e 2 to transport our Google Lunar X Prize rover to the Moon. |
