新一代載人飛船研製中 將可執行載人登月任務

China is developing a new generation of reusable manned spacecraft that can operate in both low-earth orbit and manned moon landing missions, Zhang Bainan, chief designer of manned spacecraft at China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, revealed last Tuesday.

中國航天科技集團載人飛船總設計師張柏楠上週二透露，我國新一代可重複使用載人飛船正在研製中，既能進行近地軌道飛行，又能執行載人登月任務。

Among the world's new manned spacecraft, only the US' Orion spacecraft is capable of carrying out manned moon landing missions, Zhang said.

張柏楠表示，目前全世界的新一代載人飛船中，只有美國的獵戶座飛船具備執行載人登月任務的能力。

According to Zhang, manned spacecraft developed by foreign countries can carry at most 6 people into low-earth orbit, with a maximum of 3 to 4 people for a moon landing.

據張柏楠介紹，現階段國外研發的載人飛船在近地軌道上的最高載人能力爲6人，登月最高載人能力爲3至4人。

"Our new generation spacecraft aims to match or reach beyond the international level," he said.

他表示：“我們的新一代飛船將力爭達到或者超過國際水平。”

As yet, China hasn't officially approved the project of developing a new generation of manned spacecraft.

到目前爲止，中國還沒有正式批准研製新一代載人飛船的項目。

"Facing intense international competition, it could be too late if we set about developing them after receiving project approval. We must do it ahead of time." explains Zhang.

張柏楠對此解釋道：“面對激烈的國際競爭，如果我們在收到項目批准之後再着手研製，那可能就太晚了。我們必須提前動手。”