In the ongoing space race between the United States and China, a crucial edge may come down to the production of a specialized metal component known as the propellant tank dome. This ellipsoidal bulkhead, several meters wide but only millimeters thick, must endure major internal pressures, vibration, and shock, making it difficult to mass-produce reliably and efficiently.

China has recently indicated it may have found two innovative methods to overcome this manufacturing bottleneck. One approach involves a welding technique benchmarked against SpaceX’s Falcon rockets but potentially faster in production. Concurrently, Chinese researchers have unveiled a revolutionary “cold forming” technique that can shape a complete, seamless dome in just a few hours instead of the usual week.

These advancements could provide China with a significant advantage in building large fleets of reusable rockets essential for the future space economy. The developments also raise questions about whether China can surpass NASA’s 2028 deadline in the race to the moon’s south pole.

Sources:

Read more