Beijing: China has made significant strides in its aerospace technology, unveiling a concept for a fully reusable heavy rocket at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition. The event showcased various recovery methods for the rocket’s two stages, marking another milestone in China’s ambitious space program.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) has announced that future Chinese heavy-lift rockets will feature three distinct configurations: a three-stage model, a two-stage model, and a two-stage fully reusable model, which was prominently displayed at the airshow. Wang Yue, deputy director of CALT’s aerospace department, highlighted the development of a grid-based recovery system for the reusable model, noting a breakthrough in this technology through successful scaled-down recovery tests at sea over the past two years.
In other developments, China’s Tianzhou-7 cargo craft re-entered Earth’s atmosphere in a controlled manner, as reported
by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). The re-entry occurred at 9:25 p.m. Beijing Time on Sunday, with most of the spacecraft’s components burning up and minimal debris landing in predetermined safe waters.
Additionally, the Shenzhou-19 crew aboard the Tiangong space station received new supplies after the successful docking of the Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft. At 8:26 a.m., astronaut Cai Xuzhe accessed the cargo ship, which delivered approximately six tonnes of materials. The shipment included consumables for the astronauts, propellants, experiment equipment, and 458 kilograms of scientific research supplies, ensuring the continuation of in-orbit operations.