China’s Shenlong space plane ends third flight, shows ‘maturing’ performance: state media

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.

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.

  

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