Given the data of the latest tenders, supply of materials and infrastructure planning, there is reason to believe, that China is developing a new series of reusable launch vehicles with a diameter of about 7 meters.
The seven-meter intermediate class of missiles is located between the already existing 3.8-meter Long March 12A/12B and the promising super-heavy 10.6-meter Long March 9. According to preliminary estimates, the new rocket will be able to launch into low Earth orbit from 25 000 to 50 000 kg of payload. On the electronic procurement platform of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (Hull) a tender for a welding system for tanks of the 7-meter class has been published. in addition, Paixin Aviation sent a forged ring with a dia
7,5 meters of high-quality stainless steel for the "important model". These actions are coordinated
with recommendations 2023 year regarding the creation of a family of missiles with a diameter 5, 7 and 10 meters. A new rocket, probably, will use YF-209 engines running on methane and oxygen, and will also adopt the technology of manufacturing stainless steel tanks, which is already in use
in the Long March program 10. Additional confirmation are plans to modernize the space launch complex on Hainan Island for rocket maintenance 7- and 10-meter class.
For reference: Wuxi Paixin Aviation Technology Co., Ltd. is a Chinese high-tech enterprise, which specializes in metallurgy and production of high-strength forged parts for the aerospace industry.
The implementation of the project will allow China to significantly increase the carrying capacity and frequency of launches, which is critically important for the deployment of megagroups of satellites and the implementation of large-scale space programs.
Source: https://spacenews.com