HELSINKI – China launched an experimental reusable spacecraft on Friday after months of low-core preparations at the Jukan Satellite Launch Center.

A long March 2F launch vehicle took the spacecraft into orbit after launch at an indefinite time.

Chinese state media Xinhua reported the mission’s success just three hours after the launch window opened at 1:23 a.m. East. The ‘reusable experimental spacecraft’ is currently in orbit.

“After operating in an orbital orbit, the spacecraft will return to China’s designated landing site. It will test reusable technologies during the flight, providing 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 upcoming launch. No images of the spacecraft or launch have been released yet. A higher-than-normal level of protection in the vicinity of the mission prevents outsiders from posting images on social media.

China said in 2017 that it aimed to test reusable spacecraft by 2020. The US Air Force X-373B spacecraft is currently conducting its sixth mission in orbit in the United States.

Appeared Change works In recent months the Long March 2F was driven to the launch tower for launch vehicles.

This led to speculation that this work would allow an introduction with a higher payload than a standard Long March 2F mission. A wind space vehicle may require such preparation.

A space plane project was included in the 201st Space Transport Roadmap, published by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) as the country’s leading space contractor. The 2030 target was also set for the development of a single-stage orbital (SSTO) spacecraft. Plans included a fully reusable launch vehicle and about 2045 nuclear-powered shuttles.

Chen Hongbo, of CASC’s China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), told the Science and Technology Daily in 2013 that the reusable spacecraft would be able to carry both crew and pads. Chen said some cars will feature both aircraft and spacecraft.

After an inaugural flight in 2020, a number of flights will be operated to test rapid relaunch and reusability, Chen said. The stated goal of the project is to reduce the cost of access to the site.

China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), another giant state-owned enterprise, is operating its own spacecraft called Tengyun.

“Unlike a rocket recycled by SpaceX, the spacecraft can take a spacecraft into orbit from a normal airport. It will revolutionize space transportation in the future, ”Zhang Hongwein of Casic told CCTV in 2018.

Launched Long March 2F14 times, released Lofting Crew and Unruved Shenzu Mission and two Tiang Space Labs.

The Yuanwang space tracking spacecraft had already been deployed in the Atlantic and ocean regions to support the launch of a spacecraft in an orbit tilted about 45 degrees from Jiuquan.