JIUQUAN, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- China's private space enterprises are hopeful that commercial rockets developed by them will be involved in the launch missions of the low-cost cargo transport vehicle for the country's space station, announced a senior official with the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) at a press conference on Wednesday.
In proposals provided by space enterprises for China's space station low-cost cargo transport system program, many enterprises chose the plans developed by private commercial space rocket companies, said Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the CMSA.
The transport capacity of these commercial rockets ranges from 4 tonnes to 6 tonnes, with very high comprehensive cost performance. They are expected to participate in the next phase of commercial procurement, he added.
Five state-owned enterprises and four private commercial companies submitted a total of 10 proposals for the cargo transport system program. After evaluation, four proposals entered the design stage.
Lin also mentioned that after the CMSA had solicited proposals for the manned lunar rover, many universities, automobile enterprises and scientific research institutions in China had jointly set up teams to carry out design work.
A total of 14 teams, formed by more than 40 enterprises, research institutes and universities, submitted proposals and 11 teams have passed the first-round review for further evaluation.
The CMSA is very happy to see that China's private commercial space companies are developing rapidly, and are actively participating in manned space missions, he added.
Iconic former Uruguayan President Jose Mujica says he has esophageal cancer
Justin Bieber steps out for lunch in very low
Bryce Miller and 3 relievers combine on a 1
Russian air defense forces neutralize over 30,000 Ukrainian aerial weapons
Dead infant found at Florida university campus; police investigating
CSX profit drops 10% despite railroad delivering 3% more freight in first quarter
25 years after Columbine, trauma shadows survivors of the school shooting
Holistic pursuit of national security lays solid groundwork for China's rejuvenation cause
Revealed: Billy Vunipola was TEETOTAL for almost two years
Simon Cowell is lining up a new Britain's Got Talent kids' spin
A bomb attack in northern Kenya kills 5 people near the border with Somalia
Valerie Bertinelli, 63, gushes over her 10