CAS Space developing new reuseable spacecraft, exec says

CAS Space, a leading commercial rocket maker, is developing a new type of reusable spacecraft to facilitate scientific experiments and in-orbit manufacturing, according to a senior researcher.

Wang Yingcheng, executive vice-president of the CAS Space Innovation Academy, said on Friday in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, that the Lihong 3 is a reusable spacecraft designed for long-term in-orbit scientific experiments and in-space manufacturing tasks.

Featuring long-duration orbital stay and flexible flight cycles, it can maintain a stable microgravity environment for payloads of at least 300 kilograms, according to Wang.

He said the spacecraft will be fitted with standard interfaces, can provide reliable experimental conditions, and can support multiple scientific experiments and orbital manufacturing tasks at the same time. Its maiden flight is targeted for 2028, the researcher added.

According to Wang, in-space manufacturing refers to production activities that conduct material processing and assembly in orbit by taking advantage of outer space environments such as microgravity and high vacuum.

The new method has unique advantages when it comes to developing and making advanced materials, semiconductors, and biomedicines. It not only conforms to China's strategy for space industry, but also features tremendous business potential.

Wang made the remarks after the opening ceremony of his academy, which is tasked with studying in-space manufacturing, reusable rockets and spaceships, and new spacecraft engines.

In January, CAS Space carried out the maiden flight of its Lihong 1, or PH-1, reusable spacecraft at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

Engineers used the suborbital flight to verify its overall capability and the performance of critical components such as the parachute and the precision landing control system.

Lihong 1 has been mainly designed for low-cost suborbital scientific experiments.