2023-05-08 12:51:01
Xinhua
xinhuanetIt had earlier issued a brief news release saying that China’s “reusable test spacecraft” returned to its scheduled landing site on May 8 after 276 days in orbit. The article also stated that the success of this test marked a breakthrough in China’s research on reusable spacecraft technology and could “provide a more convenient and inexpensive way to and from the peaceful use of space.”
This is the second time China has tried this “reusable experimental spacecraft”. The first time it was launched on September 4, 2020, but it was only in orbit for less than two days before returning to the atmosphere. Extended to 276 days, it is obvious that great progress has been made.
But the problem is, for such a major breakthrough, China has kept this “experimental spacecraft” secret. When it was launched on August 5 last year, it only provided that it was launched with a Long March 2F rocket. any pictures. We can only infer from the properties of the Chang-2 F itself that the diameter of this spacecraft is within 3.35 meters, the weight is within 8.8 metric tons, and it has the ability to stay in orbit for several months before returning to the designated “landing space” under control. field”.
All these data make it hard not to think of the equally mysterious X-37 program, this series of mini unmanned space shuttles have a wingspan of 4.55 meters and an empty weight of about 5 metric tons. After being launched into space by an American Atlas V or Falcon 9 rocket, they can stay in space for more than 900 days. Assuming that the two are really similar things, the United States is miniaturizing the existing space shuttle experience and technology; while China is the first to develop a vehicle similar to the space shuttle, which is not a small breakthrough. However, this is just a guess. In the absence of pictures, what this “experimental spacecraft” looks like can only continue to be a mystery.
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