China’s Shenlong space plane ends third flight, shows ‘maturing’ performance: state media
Reusable spacecraft lands in Gobi Desert months after US detects unknown object ejected from the plane and sent into same orbit
China’s experimental reusable spacecraft has completed its third orbital test, landing at its designated site in the Gobi Desert on Friday after 268 days in space, according to state media.
The Shenlong – which launched aboard a Long March-2F rocket on December 14 – touched down successfully at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, state news agency Xinhua said.
The report said the latest launch, which was used to verify reusable technology and conduct space science experiments, showed that the country’s reusable spacecraft technology was maturing.
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China’s Chang’e-6 touches down on far side of moon on mission to bring rock samples back to Earth
Reusable space planes could become a convenient and affordable way to commute to and from space in the future. The United States is the only other country in the world with reusable spacecraft.
