A scaled-down model of China's reusable Haolong space cargo shuttle will be on display at the upcoming Airshow China which will take place in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province from November 12 to 17.
The space cargo shuttle, developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), is a winged, reusable spacecraft. It incorporates a large wingspan, high lift-to-drag ratio, and a reusable technology plan.
Leveraging cutting-edge aviation technologies, it is capable of being launched by a carrier rocket, docking with the space station, and upon separation, executing de-orbit braking and re-entry maneuvers, culminating in a horizontal landing on an airport runway. It also possesses excellent flight performance in both atmospheric and space environments.
The cargo space shuttle is 10 meters long and 8 meters wide, weighing less than half of China's in-service cargo spacecraft Tianzhou.
"The Haolong space cargo shuttle is a winged aircraft with an aerodynamic design featuring a large wingspan and a high lift-to-drag ratio. With blunt-nosed fuselage and large, swept-back delta wings, it combines the characteristics of both spacecraft and aircraft, allowing it to be launched into orbit by a carrier rocket and land on airport runway like a plane," said Fang Yuanpeng, chief designer of Haolong.
"The Haolong space cargo shuttle is designed as a low-cost, reusable spacecraft for transporting cargo to space station. After completing the cargo transport mission, it can perform a horizontal landing on airport runways, enabling it to meet cargo transport needs both to and from the space station. Furthermore, its reusability helps reduce costs in spacecraft development and cargo transportation," said Fang.
Haolong has recently been selected as one of the winners of the China Manned Space Agency's solicitation for a low-cost cargo transportation system and has secured contract for the flight verification phase.
Scaled model of China's reusable space cargo shuttle to be display at Zhuhai airshow
Scaled model of China's reusable space cargo shuttle to be display at Zhuhai airshow
