(Yicai Global) March 4 -- China plans to puts its first heavy-duty launch vehicles into use in 2030, according to Science and Technology Daily.

State-backed China Aerospace Science and Technology has built many prototypes and run multiple component-level thermal tests of the three type engine, Deputy General Manager Li Hong told the Ministry of Science and Technology's official newspaper, adding that the firm has made substantial research in key technologies to lay theoretical and technical foundations for the launch of heavy-duty rockets.

China Aerospace Science and Technology, also known as CASC, led development of China's Long March launch vehicles. The Long March-5, which took its maiden flight in 2016, is now the country's most capable rocket, with a low-earth carrying capacity of 25 tons and a geosynchronous orbit capacity of 14 tons -- making it a mid-sized launcher.

CASC is also planning to develop its medium-sized rockets and replace those currently in services to improve the general technical level, reliability, adaptability, safety and environmental friendliness of China's space fleet, Li said.

The firm has already conducted successful tests for recovery of launch vehicles to verify technology like trajectory planning, high-precision navigation and guidance to create re-usable vertical takeoff and landing platforms which will allow launch vehicles to be used multiple times.

Editor: James Boynton