China launches Long March 7 rocket

China takes a big step toward its planned Tiangong-3 space station and a spot on the moon. Image Xinhua.net

The Chinese have successfully launched its first Long March 7 rocket as an integral part of their space program.

The Long March 7 can carry up to 13.5 tons of hardware into space, according to a report on Engadget. This launch included a miniature version of a still being tested crew capsule, as well as an experimental satellite for cleaning space debris and a device for measuring the gravitational field of the Earth.

Following the March 7 launch, China plans a bigger rocket that can carry up to 25 tons of payload dubbed Long March 5. The March 5 would be used in regular flights into space where it will carry hardware for building the 60-ton Tiangong-3 space station.

While NASA continues planning for a Mars trip, the Chinese space program is doing its best to catch up and lay claim to a larger presence in space. Alfred Bayle