China should push ahead with development of its own heavy-lift rocket so that it can surpass SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy, a Chinese rocket scientist said on Thursday.
Long Lehao, chief carrier rocket designer at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, told Global Times, published under party mouthpiece People’s Daily, that the Long March 9 rocket could be ready within 10 years.
Preliminary work on the rocket was under way, and scientists were waiting for government approval to go ahead with it, Long said.