Space Electric Propulsion Greatly Reduces Weight of Satellite

The launch of the Fengyun-2G (Fengyun-2-8) geostationary meteorological satellite using a Long March 3A (Chang Zheng 3A) rocket, on the end of 2014
The launch took place at 01:02 UTC on Wednesday from Pad LC2 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.
Developed by the Shanghai Academy of Space Flight Technology (SAST) and China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), this meteorological satellite series has already seen the launch of five operational satellites.
One more satellite from the fleet is scheduled before the new Fengyun-4 satellites enters service, with the first launch of the next generation scheduled for December 2015.
China ends 2014 with Long March 3A launch of Fengyun-2G | NASASpaceFlight.com 

No. 5 Research Institute of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation recently announced its major achievements in developing China’s homegrown space electric propulsion system. The system is able to ensure 15 years of reliable operation of a satellite in orbit. It means Chinese system has satisfied world advanced standards.
According to Zhang Weiwen, director of the Institute, the system enables 80% saving of fuel for a satellite and will greatly reduce the weight of a satellite due to reduction in fuel.
For example, the weight of a 4.8-ton satellite may be reduced to 1.9 tons using that system
The system must be used for the human being in remote space exploration of stars further away than Mars.
However, the achievement indirectly reflects how far China falls behind advanced level of space technology and the hard efforts it has been made to catch up.
Source: xnhuanet.com “China’s world advanced space propulsion system ensures 15-year operation of its satellites”
--------------------------------------------




Russian Weapons from Tula Arms Plant





Taiwanese Hsiung Feng III HF 3 Mach 2 class supersonic anti ship missile