China’s reusable experimental spacecraft successfully returned to its designated landing site on Friday after spending 268 days in orbit, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s pursuit of advanced space technology.
Launched in December aboard a Long March-2F carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the spacecraft was tasked with testing reusable technologies and conducting space science experiments. The mission aimed to provide technical support for the peaceful exploration and utilization of space.
The successful return signifies a leap forward in China’s development of reusable spacecraft technology, which is expected to enhance the efficiency and reduce the cost of future space missions. This progress paves the way for more convenient access to space for peaceful purposes, potentially benefiting a range of industries and scientific endeavors.
This mission follows previous launches of reusable experimental spacecraft by China in September 2020 and August 2022, which spent two days and 276 days in orbit, respectively, before returning to Earth. The increasing duration of these missions reflects the growing maturity and reliability of China’s reusable space technologies.
The advancements in reusable spacecraft are poised to contribute significantly to global efforts in space exploration, offering new opportunities for international collaboration in scientific research and technological development.
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China's reusable test spacecraft lands after 268 days in orbit
cgtn.com
