A glimpse of China's new-generation carrier rocket cradle

Photo taken on Dec 12, 2014 shows staff members check the fairing of the Long March-5 rocket. (Xinhua/ Yue Yue)

China's new generation carrier rocket industrialization base, embracing China's dream of becoming a leading space power, is located in Tianjin Economic Development Zone.

The base, with a total floor area of 3000 mu (200 hectares), meets all the requirements of rocket development and testing. Construction began in June 2008. Six years have passed since. The industrialization base now has production capacity for Long March V and Long March VII, two representatives of a new generation of launch vehicles.

"The greater China's rocket carrying capacity, the bigger the momentum of China's space industry," says Tao Gang, general manager of Tianjin Long March rocket manufacturer. "Current rocket carrying capacity cannot meet the actual needs of China's growing aerospace industry. That is the main reason for this industrialization base for the new generation of carrier rocket."

In recent decades, the rapid development of China's aerospace industry has attracted worldwide attention. China's space station research plan involves the building of a 20-ton Chinese space station in around 2022. In the future, cargo spacecraft and manned spacecraft are to be developed for long-term manned missions, military, and scientific applications.