China is said to developing an “ultra-large spacecraft” that would be so huge that it would be miles across, reports the South China Morning Post. The project is still many years away, but the National Natural Science Foundation of China is recruiting scientists to find a way to construct such a massive spacecraft.
It might sound like a massive undertaking, but given China’s advancements in space exploration, it might just be another milestone for the country. The point of building such a massive structure would be to offer a platform to spend more time in space. It’s one of the five projects funded by the foundation, each of which will get around $2.3 million, as per SCMP.
Rocket cannot carry such huge structures
Building such a spacecraft is “major strategic aerospace equipment for the future use of space resources, exploration of the mysteries of the universe and staying in long-term orbit,” an outline of the project by the foundation reads, as quoted by SCMP.
It goes without saying that for launching such a massive spacecraft, currently available rockets would not be capable of lifting it off. The outline suggests sending separate modules into space and then assembling the structure in space.
One of the main aims of the mission will be to keep mass down while still ensuring nothing breaks while ferrying them to orbit. We already know that assembling large structures in orbit is possible, and the International Space Station is a huge testament.
China’s growing space ambitions
Before kicking off the ambitious project, China was already working on assembling its Tiangong space station. The first main module is already in orbit that also serves as a cabin for astronauts, and many additional modules and crew members will be sent to the orbital outpost.
Tiangong is said to have an expected mass of around 100 tons, which is about a quarter of the International Space Station. Speaking of other missions, China’s Zhurong rover that was built for a three-month mission has outlived its expected life. The rover has finished all the tasks it was expected to perform.
