Chinese Reusable Space Vehicle
Long March 2F/G
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
Mission
Chinese Reusable Space Vehicle
- Type: Test Flight
- Orbit: Low Earth Orbit
The payload is an experimental reusable spacecraft. It is rumored to be a prototype of a reusable spaceplane (similar to Boeing X-37B vehicle). The spacecraft stayed in orbit for two days and returned to Earth on September 6. Though the landing site was not disclosed, the spacecraft is presumed to have landed at an airbase near Lop Nor nuclear test site.
Location
Launch Area 4 (SLS-1 / 921)
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China
Launch Area 4 (SLS-1 / 921) has witnessed the launch of 23 rockets, including 23 orbital launch attempts, while Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China, has been the site for 232 rocket launches.
Rocket
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 2F/G
The Long March 2F is a Chinese orbital carrier rocket, part of the Long March 2 rocket family. Designed to launch the crewed Shenzhou spacecraft, the Long March 2F is a human-rated two-stage version of the Long March 2E rocket, which in turn was based on the Long March 2C launch vehicle. It is launched from complex SLS at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
Agency
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.