China launches reusable experimental spacecraft

China launched a Long March 2F carrier rocket at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China's Gobi Desert early on Friday morning, deploying a reusable experimental spacecraft into orbit, according to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.

The leading State-owned space conglomerate said in a news release that the test vehicle is scheduled to stay in orbit for a certain period of time and will then return to its preset landing site in China.

During the orbital flight, it is tasked with verifying reusable technologies and in-orbit service technologies, laying a technological foundation for the peaceful use of space, the company said.

It did not elaborate on details of the mission and the spacecraft, nor publish pictures of the liftoff or scenes inside the ground control hall.

The launch was the 18th flight of the Long March 2F rocket model, which is usually used to launch China's Shenzhou crewed missions. The rocket has a carrying capacity of just over eight metric tons to low-Earth orbit.

The mission marked the second time that China has made public operations of its reusable experimental spacecraft.

The country's previous orbital test of such a test vehicle took place in September 2020, with the craft traveling just under two days in orbit.

Space officials said the mission was a complete success and brought major breakthroughs to China's reusable spacecraft research. Once the spacecraft enters formal operation, it will be able to offer space round-trip services more convenient and affordable than existing ones, officials said.

According to experts, reusable spacecraft will have a wide range of applications such as carrying out space tours for civilians, transporting astronauts, resupplying space stations and placing satellites into orbit at lower cost.

China's space contractors have been studying and demonstrating reusable technologies for their space program for several years.