Tech Desk 
Nov 09, 2024
China's aerospace industry recently unveiled its next-generation heavy-lift rocket, the Long March 9, at the 15th China Air Show in Zhuhai. The design showcases striking similarities with SpaceX's Starship, the biggest and most powerful rocket ever built.
Earlier, it was reported that a Chinese company is building its version of SpaceX’s Falcon 9, which has launched more than 100 orbital missions in 2024.
How Long March 9 is similar to SpaceX’s Starship
Being developed by the state-owned China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), the Long March 9 will stand 374 feet (or 114 meters) tall and be capable of lofting at least 150 tonnes of payload to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), according to the company.
Read more: SpaceX to conduct sixth Starship flight test on November 18
However, Starship is about 400 feet (122 meters) tall, with a similar Falcon 9's LEO payload capacity.
The aerospace company revealed that the big, two-stage rocket will launch astronauts to the moon and will come in at least three versions.
The Long March 9's upper stage sports maneuver-enhancing flaps in similar locations to those on the Starship’s upper stage.
However, the Long March 9's first-stage booster will be powered by 30 YF-215 engines that run on liquid oxygen and liquid methane, similar to SpaceX’s Starship's first stage “Super Heavy,” which employs 33 Raptor engines.
The Long March 9 is expected to debut in 2033, while SpaceX's Starship already has five test launches under its belt, with the sixth set to launch on November 18.
