Chinese engineers are focusing on the research and development of a next-generation crewed spacecraft named Mengzhou (literally meaning "Dream Craft"), after it completed a zero-altitude escape flight test on Tuesday, marking a key milestone in the country's lunar exploration program.
The test was carried out at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 12:30 Beijing time (0430 GMT). The spacecraft's escape engine ignited successfully, propelling the capsule-tower assembly upward. About 20 seconds later, the return capsule separated from the escape tower at the predetermined altitude. Two minutes later, the capsule landed safely in the designated area using an airbag cushioning system.
It was the country's first zero-altitude escape test for a manned spacecraft in 27 years. China's last such test was in 1998 for the Shenzhou manned spacecraft.
Mengzhou has previously completed a number of tests, including verification of the electronic system and testing of the entire ship. A flight test will be conducted in future to comprehensively verify its overall performance.
"The Mengzhou manned spacecraft is in the final stage of prototype sample development. After completing this zero-altitude escape test, our entire development team will shift all focus onto the prototype development, targeting the maiden flight of the Mengzhou manned spacecraft," said Yu Kang, a manned spacecraft designer with China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
Mengzhou is a new-generation manned space-to-ground round-trip transport vehicle which is independently developed by China for the subsequent manned spaceflight missions.
Consisting of a return capsule and a service module, the spacecraft is planned to have two core types -- the low-Earth version capable of carrying up to seven astronauts to and from China's space station and the lunar version capable of sending three astronauts to the moon.
Chinese engineers focus on research, development of next-generation crewed spacecraft
