China hails ‘key breakthroughs’ as reusable spacecraft returns safely to Earth
- Experimental vessel lands safely after spending two days orbiting the planet
- Details of craft remain secret, but one source has hinted that it may act like the US X-37B space plane
“The success indicated that China has achieved key breakthroughs in researching the spacecraft’s reusable technologies. It will provide more convenient and cheaper transport for the peaceful use of space in the future,” Xinhua said.
No details of the spacecraft were revealed in the report, but a military source previously told the South China Morning Post that “maybe you can take a look at the US X-37B”.
The X-37B is an unmanned space plane that operates like a smaller version of Nasa’s Space Shuttle.
“There were many firsts in this launch,” the military source said of the launch of the reusable spacecraft, which was shrouded in secrecy.
“The spacecraft is new, the launch method is also different. That’s why we needed to make sure there is extra security.”