China is developing a transport system similar to SpaceX's Starship
In China, they are working on a returnable two-stage launch system, which is similar to the reusable Starship transport system. The twin of Elon Musk's development will be able to carry up to 20 tons of payload, Space News reports .
The project of the new system was presented by the president of the Chinese Research Institute of Rocket Technology Wang Xiaojun. The first stage will land vertically, and the descent of the second will be provided by the wings. Before landing, the second stage is also deployed for vertical landing.
"We are conducting research in the field of a manned launch system on liquid methane and oxygen," Wang said at the International Symposium on Prospects and Cooperation in the Field of Manned Space Flights in Near-Earth Orbit, which was held on February 17 in Beijing.
Wang said that the Chinese rocket will be able to deliver up to 20 tons of payload to low Earth orbit. At the same time, the superheavy SpaceX rocket will be able to take on board up to 100 tons. The publication notes that such a difference is caused by the gas generator engine of the Chinese rocket.
In February, it became known that SpaceX will release a tourist into outer space for the first time. As part of the Polaris program, groups of tourists will be sent into space on Crew Dragon ships and the Starship transport system.
Earlier in the same month, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced his readiness to promote cooperation with Russia in the field of cosmonautics.
