Disaster! China Copies Both SpaceX's Starship and Mechazilla Catching Tower. Musk's Reaction…

what are we looking at here that concept has gone from paper to reality I'm talking about the launch tower that China has copied from SpaceX it's now complete China's biggest ambition may be to outpa SpaceX but will it really be that simple their Tower design appears to carry significant risks and their copying efforts won't stop there Cas space is also making progress with their kinetica rocket let's dive into these updates on today's episode of great SpaceX in previous episodes I discussed Cosmo leap's ambitious plan to replicate spacex's Innovative Starship launch catch tower system since then the company has made significant strides securing funding to support the development of their own launch Tower and Rocket leap also known as uan now that Vision has moved from concept to reality recently videos shared on the platform X showcase China's completed launch Tower which mirrors the design Cosmo leip had previously presented in 3D concept animations this may be China's most accurate replication of spacex's system to date like spacex's Tower it features a modular steel frame structure and the Chopstick system designed to lift lower close open and rotate around a booster nearly identical to spacex's setup at first glance the tower's similarity to spacex's design might raise questions about its authenticity however it's it's entirely real Cosmo confirmed several critical technical developments in Prior funding updates including a chopstick clip Tower recovery verification platform a flight control computer named Firestone number one and China's first domestically produced Tower recovery controller little Firestone the rapid progress Cosmo leap has demonstrated is remarkable especially considering that the company officially known as dah hang uan was only founded in March of this year reaching the current development stage in just a few months is unprecedented underscoring the efficiency and speed of China's replication approach in Aerospace now that the tower structure is complete Cosmo will likely Channel its efforts and resources into completing other vital subsystems these include the launch Mount which secures the rocket before liftoff and the tank farm which will Fuel and Supply the Rockets propellant alongside this work on the leap rocket itself is expected to accelerate if Cosmo leap maintains its current Pace a launch and Landing attempt could be possible as soon as next year China's Aerospace sector and companies like Cosmo leip in particular benefit from considerable government support this backing allows them to move forward without the environmental or Public Safety constraints that frequently delay us companies this freedom from restrictive oversight enables rapid unfettered development at an impressive Pace in any case SpaceX a leader in the global Aerospace industry has become a focal point of imitation as especially in reusability and cost reduction efforts Beyond Cosmo many other Chinese Rockets from private firms and state organizations alike reveal spacex's influence in their designs particularly the newer versions of the Long March rocket family this trend aligns with the analysis from Polaris daon Mission Commander Jared isikman who tweeted about the Strategic importance of spacex's advancements he pointed out that starship's rapid reusability and other capabilities such as orbital refueling represent a re uary leap in space capabilities The High Ground has always mattered Isaac Min remarked noting the value of these advancements in military economic and exploratory terms he emphasized that these developments are impossible to ignore for the United States and certainly not for China this escalating Dynamic raises significant concerns for the US Aerospace sector while China's government-driven model allows rapid progress the US regulatory environment can act as a break on momentum in particular complex government procedures and layers of oversight often cause delays Chief among these barriers is the Federal Aviation Administration the body responsible for licensing rocket launches in the US its detailed review investigation and assessment process can take months additionally environmental agencies frequently intervene under the guise of Environmental Protection a valid priority but one that can sometimes Overlook the Strategic and competitive value of Rapid Aerospace advancements SpaceX has encountered many of these regulatory challenges particularly ly with its Starship project delays before flights 2 and five serve as reminders of these obstacles ironically after finally approving flight 5 the Regulatory Agencies admitted to errors in their previous assessments of spacex's processes acknowledging a lack of clarity that may have contributed to unnecessary setbacks this illustrates the degree to which the US regulatory landscape can inhibit progress even as other countries are able to advance rapidly in similar technological areas despite these hurdles space X has achieved remarkable progress in just a year and a half with five test flights they have accomplished several significant Milestones including the first vertical Landings for Starship and catching the super heavy booster with the mechazilla arms however to meet crucial upcoming goals such as the emis 3 lunar mission in 2026 and the Mars colonization mission that follows SpaceX will need to increase its development and launch frequency even further reforming agencies like the FAA to streamline their processes and reduce delays could play an essential role in accelerating spacex's timeline if you agree that us Aerospace Innovation should be prioritized comment let SpaceX fly and share your thoughts and as always be sure to like share and subscribe to stay informed on spacex's exciting journey toward a future where Humanity can explore New Frontiers in space now when we consider the technological aspect it's clear that China's attempts to replicate spacex's Innovations won't be enough copying the outer design doesn't mean mastering the underlying technology a gap visible in Cosmo leip's recently unveiled launch tower system to begin with the structure of Cosmo leip's Chopstick arms appear unbalanced the arms are longer than spacex's making them more cumbersome and increasing operational risks strangely these arms are paired with a medium lift rocket roughly the size of a falcon 9 which seems mismatched with such a large setup furthermore their launch Tower appears low and lacks a launch mount underneath which may complicate tasks like stacking and launching perhaps the most concerning Factor however is the tower's location based on videos Cosmo's Tower was constructed alarmingly close to residential buildings this follows a common pattern in China's Aerospace strategy where facilities are often built deep Inland and near populated areas an approach that has garnered widespread criticism for safety concerns there have been numerous incidents in China where Rockets have come dangerously close to residential areas earlier this year for example a long march 2C booster crashed near a popul ated area releasing toxic gases more recently a test failure of the Tang long 3 rocket caused significant vibrations felt near residential zones even from a considerable distance though China's reports often state that no injuries occurred the risks posed by these incidents remain high with Cosmo's new launch Tower so close to residential areas potential hazards such as vibrations fuel venting debris or even catastrophic explosions could pose serious threats to Public Safety additionally the question question arises how will Cosmo leip expand its infrastructure in such a densely populated area demolishing neighboring zones isn't a viable long-term plan in contrast SpaceX situated its Starbase launch Tower in a remote area along the southern Texas coast far from major populations yet they continuously face regulatory delays from US government agencies if Cosmo leip's Tower were held to similar us safety and Regulatory standards it's likely it would never be approved for use observing Cosmo leap's rapid risk Laden growth highlights a stark difference between their approach and spacex's model of sustainable regulation compliant expansion Chinese companies May indeed grow quickly but without strong foundations and adherence to long-term safety standards they risk facing critical failures such incidents could lead to shaken investor confidence potentially causing projects and even entire companies to collapse just as quickly as they grew this ultimately is why these copycats are unlikely to ever surpass SpaceX however their Ambitions persist in addition to Cosmo leap's developments another Chinese company Cas space is also making strides with its own rocket advancements at 11:03 p.m. UTC or 603 p.m. eastern Daylight Savings Time on November 10th Cas space launched its kinetica 1 or liian 1 rocket from the Guan satellite launch Center deploying 15 satellites into orbit including the Jin Lin one satellite for Chang Guang satellite technology or cgst the launch took place in the dong Fang commercial space Innovation test area an area reserved for Chinese commercial aerospace companies many of which are emulating space exess models and methods this launch marks connectica 1's third mission this year and the fifth since its debut in July of 2022 standing 30 m tall with a 2.65 M diameter kinetica 1 is powered by a solid rocket engine has a liftoff thrust of 135 tons and can carry payloads of up to 1 and 1/2 tons to a 500 km Sun synchronous orbit this launch series is part of CAS space's preparation to transition to the kinetica 2 slated for September of 2025 with upgraded capabilities which include 7.8 tons to SSO and 12 tons to low earth orbit by late 2026 the company aims to achieve full reusability for connectica 2 likely adopting grid fins Landing legs similar to Falcon 9 and possibly methane fuel like spacex's Starship the ultimate goal is the kinetica 3 capable of launching 20 tons to SSO and is fully reusable Cas space is ramping up its launch frequency and plans to schedule 5 to eight flights annually once Connecticut 2 is operational with ambitions to serve International customers thereafter despite these ambitious plans numerous attempts to replicate spacex's approach have failed Time Will Reveal what lies ahead for c space Cosmo leap and other ambitious imitators in China's Aerospace sector from ground systems to rockets and from private to government sectors it's clear that China is taking cues from SpaceX in nearly every area their latest and most ambitious Endeavor is the Long March 9 set to be China's most powerful launch vehicle yet inspired heavily by spacex's own designs with this new rocket China aims to achieve bold Milestones including advancing in the lunar race meanwhile NASA's systems grappling with mounting challenges underscoring the critical role of SpaceX and Starship in helping NASA stay ahead and counter China's strategic Ambitions so just how powerful is China's new rocket and how will SpaceX outmaneuver these so-called imitators join us as we dive into all this and more on today's episode of great SpaceX you may recall that I mentioned a notable Chinese rocket design that closely resembles spacex's Starship the future iteration of the Long March 9 soon this model will make its debut according to Science and Technology daily China will showcase it at the zuu high air show on November 12th alongside the Long March 9 the event will also feature the Long March 10A the initial version of their lunar rocket Long March 9 is set to become China's largest rocket far exceeding the current Long March 5 which stands 27.6 M tall with a 3 and 1 half meter diameter in comparison Long March 9 will be a massive 114 m tall with a diameter of 10.6 M this rocket will be powered by 30 yf- 215 engines each producing 450,000 lb or 200 tons of thrust for a total liftoff thrust of 13.5 million PB or roughly 6,000 tons the reason it's often called a Starship copy lies in the recent design revisions currently Long March 9 is an Expendable model with up to four optional side boosters each 5 m in diameter however the future version of this rocket will adopt key Starship like features most notably a reduction from Three Stages to two and the addition of flaps for controlled descent these updates will enable reusability while the YF 215 engines will switch to methane and liquid oxygen just like space exus rptor engines with these mimicry tactics China is moving forward with confidence in its ambitious plans for the Long March 9 once operational the Long March 9 is likely to replace China's current rocket lineup for key missions such as resupplying the tong gong space station while some believe a rocket of this scale is unnecessary Tong gong is expected to expand in the future accommodating more astronauts which will ultimately necessitate a larger launch vehicle beyond Earth orbit the Long March 9 is seen as a pivotal asset for China's lunar Ambitions although the Long March 10 is planned for crude lunar Landings The Long March 9 will handle the transport of modules and other infrastructure needed to establish the ilrs lunar base in the early 2030s and following lunar operations it's likely this rocket will be adapted for Mars missions especially if it evolves into a Starship likee model with reusable capabilities such a version would enable China to undertake extended missions to Mars quickly and at reduced costs China may also mirror spacex's groundbreaking approach to Rocket recovery a private Chinese company Cosmo leip has already introduced a catch system for their leap or uat rocket which could potentially be adapted for the Long March 9 although Cosmo leap is considered private it appears to have significant State backing so integrating their technology would likely be straightforward the law March 9 is projected for its first launch in 2033 marking a new chapter in China's space capabilities as China's Space Program accelerates largely due to unconventional strategies NASA's approach appears increasingly Passive by comparison although the Artemis 1 Mission launched successfully in 2022 it required substantial time and funding resources that are now being poured into emus 2 however progress remains slow only recently did NASA transport the first components of the SLS 2 Kennedy Space Center and with less than a year until Artemis 2's scheduled launch the rocket is still not fully assembled this races significant concerns about when critical testing will even begin the Orion spacecraft itself faces notable challenges especially with its heat shield after years of Investigation into heat shield issues NASA finally identified the problem but has kept further details under Under Wraps it's still unclear whether they'll replace the heat shield entirely which could further delay the mission alongside this repairs to the mobile launcher system after Artemis 1 have taken considerable time and recent reports from the GAO raise cost concerns and cast doubts on the exploration ground systems Readiness looking ahead other elements of the SLS program also face scrutiny the Boeing built exploration upper stage or EU us and core booster for the SLS block 1B model are reported to have quality issues further escalating costs and pushing timelines back compounding these issues NASA continues to allocate funds to new projects with uncertain Futures the Viper Rover once heavily funded was recently considered for cancellation despite near incompletion likewise the lunar Gateway project raises questions about compatibility with emis components particularly the Starship hls in the face of these challenges it's clear that NASA needs a more streamlined solution oriented approach to maintain competitiveness in the new space race my point is is not to praise China while underestimating NASA however based on recent developments it's difficult to feel confident that NASA can easily outpace China in the current Space Race the next critical milestone for NASA is the armis 2 mission and the question remains will they launch on time and will the mission succeed only time will tell but fortunately NASA's program still benefits from the inclusion of SpaceX and its groundbreaking Starship also in October Starship completed its fifth fifth flight flight five marking a notable achievement as SpaceX successfully caught the super heavy booster with the mechazilla arm this progress has positioned SpaceX on track for flight 6 currently set for November 18th a full year after Flight 2 flight six will include another superheavy catch an inspace engine relight and a heat shield test all Paving the way for key advancements in 2025 next year we can expect SpaceX to further refine starship's recovery capabil ities by catching the ship itself marking a major Milestone toward full reusability achieving a full reusable rocket will allow SpaceX to launch at a quicker pace and lower cost an edge that China is actively trying to emulate in addition SpaceX is likely to debut the updated Starship V2 as part of these advancements by March SpaceX plans to establish an orbital refueling system significantly enhancing starship's Mission flexibility with this infrastructure flights will become more frequent and Starship will be prepared within space refueling capabilities well ahead of Artemis 3 spacex's ground operations are also ramping up the star Factory has begun production enabling faster Hardware manufacturing as evidenced by the Swift stacking of s33 within 41 days production speed is only set to improve from here further accelerating spacex's progress meanwhile SpaceX is steadily advancing its testing and launch infrastructure the integration of the flame Trench has shown significant efficiency and the construction of additional launchpads and prototypes is aimed at further boosting launch frequency this expansion is not limited to Star base alone as the Starship system is likely to extend to Florida as well in terms of the lunar program SpaceX has made strides with subsystem testing recently the company unveiled the interior design of the hls nose cone showcasing unprecedented potential for lunar missions and while China has yet to replicate the current Starship SpaceX is already on the verge of introducing a new iteration complet with upgraded hardware and engines this next gen Starship promises a colossal 10,000 tons of thrust solidifying the US's position in the space race and casting a long Shadow over China's efforts with each success SpaceX is demonstrating its Readiness to meet the Artemis 3 schedule even if delays occur in the earlier stages a timely successful Starship launch for emis 3 would deliver a decisive Edge over China's ambitious plans it's worth noting that many Chinese SpaceX replicas have faced setbacks underscoring spacex's lead in this competitive field the stage is set for a groundbreaking showdown in the new space race on one side we have an industry leader driven by Relentless Innovation and the goal of multiplanetary existence and on the other an ambitious competitor whose rapid progress and willingness to adapt rival that of the Soviet Union in the last century unlike the original Space Race this competition has multiple layers testing the limits of technological Ingenuity geopolitical strategy and the drive to secure dominance in the final frontier China's accelerated pace and Keen adaptability are making them a formidable rival their incremental advancements strategically placing them closer to key Milestones such as a lunar landing and plans to establish a lunar base the unveiling of their Long March 10 a rocket and plans to launch tyena to the Moon by 2030 underscore a focused and rapidly advancing agenda meanwhile SpaceX led by its Flagship Starship has achieved remarkable strides from rapid prototyping and high frequency testing to the ongoing iteration of hardware and Mission profiles the company has maintained a lead that feels increasingly insurmountable starship's continuous Evolution including inorbit refueling advanced heat shield systems and reusability upgrades positions it as a powerful asset in America's strategy to regain space leadership the upcoming years will be decisive should SpaceX meet its ambitious Target of returning astronauts to the Moon by September of 2026 it could signify a pivotal win in the era's space race the outcome would not only affirm spacex's dominance but also set the stage for Humanity's next chapter in space what's your take can SpaceX secure a victory and effectively end this race on top in any case that's about it for today's episode thank you so much for tuning in and as always this has been Kevin from great SpaceX until next time keep looking up