China tests its "reusable" spacecraft for the third time

It has been reported that China has launched its "reusable" test vehicle into space.

Don't leave your news choices to an algorithm - decide for yourself what you read. Add 12punto to your preferred sources!

According to a report by the Chinese news agency Xinhua, the spacecraft was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert using a Long March-2F carrier rocket.

The report stated that the spacecraft would "operate in orbit for a certain period" before returning to a designated landing site in China, adding that during this time, "reusable technology will be tested" and "space science experiments will be conducted."

THE VEHICLE, WHOSE DETAILS ARE KEPT SECRET, MAY BE A SPACEPLANE OR A SHUTTLE-TYPE SPACE CAPSULE

The report noted that the flight "aims to provide technical support for the peaceful use of space." The flight, the details of which are kept secret, is estimated to be the third test of the "reusable" spacecraft, which was previously tested in 2020 and 2022. The spacecraft, which made its first flight in September 2020, returned to Earth after spending two days in orbit. The second test flight, in which the spacecraft remained in orbit for a long time, was carried out in August 2022. In both flights, it was not disclosed where the spacecraft landed.

It is unknown whether the vehicle, referred to as the "Reusable Test Spacecraft" and whose project details are kept secret, is a spaceplane or a shuttle-type space capsule.

On the other hand, it is known that China is also testing a suborbital spaceplane similar to the "X-37B" developed by the US Space Force.

The first test flight of the spaceplane, which was developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and is claimed to be named "Shenlong" (Divine Dragon), was conducted in July 2021. A reusable version of the same model was sent into space in August 2022.

It is observed that China has made significant progress in reusable spacecraft.

Suborbital aircraft are expected to provide flexibility in space operations as they allow access to orbit in a shorter preparation time compared to carrier rockets and space shuttles.

The aircraft, which are planned to be used for space tourism, personnel and cargo transport, satellite deployment, and emergency rescue missions, are also envisioned to be used for low-cost, rapid intercontinental transportation.

News Source: AA