Long March-5 gets fuel tank

China has successfully developed its largest rocket propellant tank, to be used to contain hydrogen fuel for the Long March-5 carrier rocket, the tank's developer said Wednesday.

The homegrown rocket tank, measuring five meters in diameter and over 20 meters in length, consists of bottom parts and eight tubular sections, which are welded together, according to the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.

The academy made a major technological breakthrough in the welding of such a massive fuel tank, it said, adding that developing and manufacturing a propellant tank are among the most difficult tasks when building a rocket.

According to a government white paper issued last month, China will develop next-generation launch vehicles, including Long March-5, Long March-6 and Long March-7, in the 2011- 15 period.

The Long March-5 will use a non-toxic and pollution-free propellant, and will be capable of placing a 25-ton payload into near-Earth orbit, or placing a 14-ton payload into geostationary orbit, the paper said.