[FPSPACE] CZ5/ CZ2h

[E.P. Grondine]

Hi - 

The big questions about China have been about China's CZ2h, and launch site operations.

The CZ2h apparently stands in relation to the CZ5 as the Zenith did to the Energia. That explains airframe and powerplant production capacity utilization. 

The hard part is launch site utilization. I think its likely that Hainan will not be ready to be used for manned flight until say about 2017.

PS - I learned via Florida space report that China's free comsat for Nigeria was actually a free replacement for one that failed. Other Chinese customers were Venezuela (another oil producer) and Pakistan.

I also learned there that China's participation in ISS sometime around 2017 or so has also been broached and is under discussion, with France insisting on unanimous approval or no go. I think there was some European concern about China's comsat prices.

E.P. Grondine
Man and Impact in the Americas

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