China unveils reusable space shuttle

China on October 29 revealed the design of the Haolong spacecraft, a commercial spacecraft used for low-cost cargo trips to the space station.

Lin Xiqiang, spokesman for the China Manned Space Administration (CMSA), announced the progress of the selection of development projects for the low-cost cargo spacecraft and the lunar rover at a press conference for the Shenzhou-19 mission on October 29. The Haolong, a winged spacecraft developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), was one of the winning projects and was awarded a contract for the technical flight verification phase.

The Haolong spacecraft (right) will transport cargo between the space station and Earth at low cost. (Photo: AVIC).

This type of spacecraft can be launched on a rocket and docked with the space station. After separating from the station, it will begin its descent, re-enter the atmosphere and land on an airport runway. After inspection and maintenance, the spacecraft can continue to serve future missions, according to information from AVIC.

With a large wingspan, high lift-to-drag ratio and reusable technology, Haolong is an efficient commercial vehicle. It can carry large amounts of cargo to and from the space station, has a good flight environment and can provide good support for space activities.

Haolong also helps reduce the cost of transporting cargo to the space station thanks to its ability to be reused multiple times. The new ship aims to establish a safe, reliable, diverse and efficient cargo transport system between the station and Earth.

The Haolong model is scheduled to be unveiled at the 15th Airshow China, which will be held from November 12 to 17 in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, southern China. AVIC will display the shuttle from all angles. The group said the Haolong shuttle will lead and promote new breakthroughs and developments in China's reusable space transportation technology, making the country's space exploration more solid and further advance  the Haolong shuttle  , and making common contributions to the benefit of mankind.