SpaceX must be very pleased with the Chinese space program.
Wang Xiaojun, president of the Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), gave a presentation earlier this month showing off a concept for a two-stage methane-liquid launch system that looked suspiciously familiar.
The images used in the slides are very similar to the ones used in the spaceship. There are differences as well. The launch system of CALT is designed to carry 20 tons to low-Earth orbit, while the one of SpaceX is designed to carry 100 tons. According to SpaceNews, there are differences in how the engines generate thrust.
There is a very good chance that CALT took some easy ways to show off its planned methane-LOX launch system. It is likely that its design language will change over time.
The postgraduate students from CALT showed off a heavy launch vehicle capable of reaching the Martian surface. A rather rudimentary animation shows a spaceship that doesn't look like the one from Starship.
The academy's plans represent a renewed focus on reusability and affordability, a goal that more space programs are starting to embrace.
When it comes to its workhorse Falcon 9 rocket, the company has been a pioneer when it comes to recovering and reuse.
Europe's Ariane Group, which announced a mini-launcher last year, is one of many countries looking to do the same.
The designs for the Amur rocket were shown off by Russia's space corporation, and they looked like a lot of copy-paste.
It's a step in the right direction, but they should really aim for full reusability by the end of the decade.
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