Helsinki – After months of key preparations at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China has launched a reusable spacecraft.

The Long March 2F launch vehicle launched the spacecraft into orbit shortly after launch.

Chinese State Media Xinhua Reported The mission was successful within three hours of the launch window opening at 1:23 a.m. East. The ‘reusable experimental spacecraft’ is currently in orbit.

“After an orbital mission, the spacecraft will return to its scheduled landing site in China. It will test reusable technologies during flight and provide technical support for the peaceful use of space, ”the Xinhua report said.

The airspace closure notices issued on Thursday gave the first indication of an impending launch. No images of the spacecraft or launch have been released yet. The higher-than-usual security mission prevented images of views around the mission from appearing on social media.

China stated 2017 The goal is to test a reusable spacecraft by 2020. The U.S. currently has a U.S. Air Force X-37B spacecraft Performs the sixth mission in orbit.

Is obvious Modification work The Long March 2F launch was held in the coming months at the launch tower for the vehicle.

This led to the ulation claim that a launch with a payload wider than a typical Long March 2F mission would allow creation. Such preparations are required for a winged spacecraft.

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the country’s leading space contractor, has included a space project in its 2017 ‘Space Transport Roadmap’. The 2030 goal of developing a single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) spacecraft was also noted. The project includes fully reusable launch vehicles and a nuclear-powered shuttle by 2045.

Chen Hongbo from CASC’s China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), Said The reusable spacecraft will be able to carry crews and payloads, according to the 2017 Science and Technology Daily. Chen said some vehicles will have the features of an aircraft and a spacecraft.

Chen said that after an inaugural flight by 2020, there will be several flights to test the rapid re-launch and repeated usability. The stated goal of the project is to reduce the cost of access to space.

China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (Kazik), another large state-owned enterprise, operates its own spacecraft under the name Tengyun.

Unlike the rocket recycling adopted by SpaceX, the spacecraft can carry the spacecraft into orbit from a normal airport. It will revolutionize the future of aerospace transportation, ”Zhang Hongwen of Kazik told CCTV in 2018.

Long March 2F was launched 14 times, with the Lofting crew and the Uncrewed Shenzhou missions and two Tiangong space labs.

Yuanwang space tracking ships have already been deployed in the Atlantic Ocean and oceans to support a spacecraft that will launch into orbit at an inclination of about 45 degrees from Jiuquan.