6 versions of LongMarch 5 rocket inworks

China will develop six configurations in its heavy-lift Long March 5 rocket family, which is scheduled for its first flight later this year, said the project's manager.

Wang Jue, head of the Long March 5 project at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, said the six designs will have different launch capacities. Engineers are currently focusing on the two types that will be used for the Chang'e-5 lunar probe and manned space station missions.

The model that will lift the Chang'e-5 probe will have three stages. It is set to carry out the rocket family's first mission during the fourth quarter of this year, Wang said.