Recently, the Jielong-3 solid rocket, independently developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, successfully ignited and lifted off, accurately placing the 04 group of Geely Constellation satellites into the designated orbit. This launch not only marks a new breakthrough in China's commercial aerospace maritime launch capabilities but also highlights the strategic value of solid rockets in terms of "rapid response and flexible mobility."
This raises a question: why is China vigorously developing satellite launching technology using solid rockets? I believe it is mainly based on the following key reasons: first, rapid response and high launch efficiency.
The propellant of solid rockets is cast and solidified in the engine before leaving the factory, unlike liquid rockets that require complex low-temperature or toxic fueling before launch, significantly shortening the launch preparation time. At the same time, eliminating related equipment, pipelines, and safety protection for fueling simplifies the launch site operations and facility requirements, enabling "launch upon arrival" or "quick launch and quick withdrawal," greatly improving launch efficiency, especially suitable for emergency launches (such as network replenishment and disaster monitoring), dense network launches (such as large satellite constellation deployment), and commercial launches requiring timeliness.
Secondly, flexibility, mobility, and diversified launches.
Due to its simple and robust structure, solid rockets can be horizontally assembled, tested, and transported, with lower transportation conditions required, making them easy to achieve diversified launches:
Similar to the Long March 11, they can quickly move from inland launch sites to different locations, enhancing survival capability and mission flexibility;
For example, the Jielong-3 was launched near the coastal area of Rizhao this time. Since no large land-based fueling facilities are needed, it is particularly suitable for offshore platform operations. Maritime launches can choose near-equatorial positions to utilize Earth's rotation to enhance launch capacity, select optimal landing areas to improve safety, and meet more diverse customer orbital needs, directly demonstrating flexibility.
This greatly expands the range of launch location choices, allowing flexible selection of the most economical, safe, and advantageous positions according to mission requirements.
Third, high reliability and low-cost maintenance.
Compared to the complex propellant supply system of liquid rockets (including pumps, valves, pipelines, and tanks), solid rocket engines have a simpler structure with fewer moving parts; and under proper storage conditions, solid propellants maintain stable performance, allowing rockets to remain on standby for long periods. This reduces the complexity and cost of operation and maintenance, enhances inherent reliability, and improves mission success rates.
Fourth, meeting market demands and technological transformation.
Although the specific impulse (efficiency) of solid rocket engines is usually lower than that of high-performance liquid engines, their carrying capacity is more suitable for launching small to medium satellites (hundreds of kilograms to several tons). In the current commercial aerospace market, there is a surge in demand for small/micro satellites and constellation network satellites. Solid rockets, with their advantages of speed, flexibility, and controllable costs, have become an ideal choice to fill this market gap. The Jielong-3 serves spacecraft in sun-synchronous orbits and low Earth orbits, precisely targeting this market.
Additionally, China has deep experience in solid rocket engine technology (especially large solid engines), which stems from defense needs (such as intercontinental missiles and submarine-launched missiles). Converting mature military technology into civilian and commercial aerospace launches is a natural extension of technological development and a model of military-civilian integration, reducing R&D costs and shortening the development cycle of new commercial rockets.
In summary, China's enthusiasm for developing satellite launching using solid rockets is driven by its rapid response capability, launch flexibility and mobility, ease of operation and maintenance, and high reliability. These characteristics perfectly match the needs of modern aerospace missions, especially commercial launches, emergency launches, rapid deployment of small satellite constellations, and diversified launch methods (land-based mobility, maritime launches). The successful launch of Jielong-3 near the coastal area of Rizhao is a vivid practice of China using solid rocket technology to expand launch points and improve the timeliness of commercial launches. It is not only a technical success but also a precise positioning of business model innovation and market strategy.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7541290802958303771/
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