China has successfully launched a China reusable spacecraft into orbit, sending an experimental vehicle aloft aboard a Long March-2F carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the country’s northwest on Saturday, state media Xinhua reported.
The mission is aimed at conducting technological verification for reusable spacecraft and supporting the peaceful use of space, though Xinhua did not provide details on the duration of the flight or the specific technologies tested.
Chinese Reusable Spacecraft Program Hits Fourth Milestone
This marks the fourth launch of a reusable spacecraft by China since 2020, demonstrating a steady progression in the country’s efforts to reduce the cost and increase the frequency of orbital missions. The first flight in September 2020 lasted two days, while subsequent missions in August 2022 and September 2024 spent 276 and 268 days in orbit, respectively, before safely returning to Earth.
The development of reusable spacecraft is considered a critical step for China to achieve more sustainable and cost-effective space operations, with each mission providing technical insights to refine future spacecraft design and operation.
Experts note that repeated successful launches are pivotal for enabling more frequent access to space, laying the groundwork for both scientific and commercial applications in the coming years.
