🚘 Starliner’s helium headache becomes China’s missile miracle, breakthrough in 3rd-gen semiconductor, China’s new hypersonic missile-capable submarine

Chinese researchers have reportedly made a breakthrough in missile and rocket propulsion inspired by flaws in Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.

They found that helium could enhance efficiency and thrust while also reducing exhaust temperatures.

The discovery was allegedly inspired by issues with Starliner, which have left two NASA astronauts stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) since June 2024. Let's take a closer look at this Must Read.

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MUST-READ

🚀 Boeing Starliner’s helium headache becomes China’s missile miracle, claims study

This issue is helium leakage from the spacecraft. At the time of writing, plans are afoot to return the astronauts sometime in the first quarter of 2025.

Helium is commonly used to help pressurize fuel systems, but these leaks have effectively paralyzed the spacecraft. Building on this, a team of Chinese scientists at Harbin Engineering University found a way to inject helium into solid-fuel rocket motors, improving thrust and stealth capabilities.

They found that this technique effectively tripled the thrust of solid-fuel rockets on demand. The team also discovered that adding helium dramatically reduced the rocket’s exhaust temperature.

💣 China’s breakthrough in 3rd-gen semiconductor could advance military weapons

Chinese researchers have discovered the leading cause of defects in the promising semiconductor material gallium nitride (GaN). This material is critical for developing advanced electronics, specifically those used for military applications.

The team, led by Professor Huang Bing and his team at Peking University, identifies the leading cause of defects in GaN crystal growth. GaN fabrication typically uses substrates like silicon and sapphire to support growth.

They found that the issue stems from dislocation defects, which disrupt the crystal structure, leading to leakage and reduced performance. The team found these defects because GaN has a hexagonal atomic structure, which makes it different from silicon’s cubic structure.

🦾 China’s new hypersonic missile-capable submarine challenges US in Philippines: Report

A recently revealed Chinese submarine, speculated to carry hypersonic missiles, signals a significant shift in naval deterrence strategy amid escalating regional military activity.

While the PLA has not confirmed the development of this larger submarine class, a report in Naval & Merchant Ships, a publication owned by China State Shipbuilding Corporation, describes its design and capabilities, indirectly confirming its existence and purpose.

A report published earlier this month suggests the submarine is meant to strengthen China’s naval power in response to the increasing foreign military presence in the region. It highlights the US deployment of Typhon missile launchers on Luzon Island in the Philippines during a joint exercise last April. These launchers can fire long-range multipurpose missiles capable of striking targets in China, Russia, and North Korea, the South China Morning Post reported.

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