Wednesday, July 9, 2025
spot_img

China launches secret reusable spacecraft to low-Earth orbit

Date:

Share post:

spot_imgspot_img

Beijing, Aug 5 : China has launched a classified reusable vehicle on a secret mission to low-Earth orbit, media reports said.

A Long March 2F rocket carrying a “test spacecraft” lifted off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the Gobi Desert on Friday, China’s state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

“The test spacecraft will be in orbit for a period of time before returning to the scheduled landing site in China, during which reusable and in-orbit service technology verification will be carried out as planned to provide technical support for the peaceful use of space,” Xinhua news agency reported.

The craft’s test includes “technical verification of reusable and on-orbit services as planned to provide technical support for the peaceful use of space”.

According to a SpaceNews report, the mystery vehicle is thought to be a robotic space plane, perhaps one roughly the same size as the US Space Force’s X-37B, based on the Long March 2F’s considerable payload capacity.

In September 2020, China had launched a reusable test spacecraft in a similar manner. It stayed aloft for two days and released a small payload in orbit before coming down for a landing in China, SpaceNews noted.

A “white paper” released by China’s State Council Information Office in January this year stated that the country would, “continue to strengthen research into key technologies for reusable space transport systems, and conduct test flights accordingly.” (IANS)

spot_imgspot_img

Related articles

Many of you can become astronauts, walk on Moon: Shubhanshu tells students at NESAC

NEW DELHI, July 8: “Many of you can become future astronauts, even walk on the Moon,” Shubhanshu Shukla...

Keep all 18 Khasi villages in Meghalaya: Heads of Raid Nongtung urge Conrad

SHILLONG, July 8: The traditional village heads along the Assam-Meghalaya border in Ri-Bhoi, under the banner of the...

Drug addiction fuels rise in petty crimes in city, says police

SHILLONG, July 8: There is a rise in petty crimes such as thefts and burglaries in the city,...

MHRC seeks report on alleged torture of youth at Sohra PS

SHILLONG, July 8: The Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has directed the Superintendent of Police of East Khasi...