| − | [/news/china/index.html China] has landed its secretive reusable experimental spacecraft back on Earth after a successful two-day test flight. <br>Long March-2F carrier was launched into orbit last Friday from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the northwestern Chinese region of Inner Mongolia.<br>It returned to the scheduled landing site as planned on Sunday, the official state-run Xinhua News Agency reported. <br>The reusable experimental spacecraft, of which no pictures have emerged, was launched to test 'reusable technologies' during its flight and could lead to a 'convenient and inexpensive way' to reach space. <br> A Long March-2F carrier delivered the spacecraft into orbit from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in north-western Chinese region Inner Mongolia, reported state media Xinhua.<br><br>The file picture shows a modified model of the Long March CZ-2F rocket carrying the unmanned spacecraft Shenzhou 8 taking off from northwest China on November 1, 2011<br>'China's reusable experimental spacecraft on Sunday returned to the scheduled landing site after a two-day in-orbit operation,' said Xinhua. <br>'The successful flight marked the country's important breakthrough in reusable spacecraft research and is expected to offer convenient and low-cost round trip transport for the peaceful use of the space.' <br>Orbital data later confirmed that the vehicle had been placed in an orbit at a similar height to China's previous crewed flights, [ ] reports. <br>The 'space plane' could take Chinese astronauts to and from China's planned future space station. <br>'A space plane is an ideal technology for atmospheric re-entry due to less brutal accelerations for the human body,' said Shenzhen-based space analyst Jean Deville. <br>The mission appears to have been carried out with low-key preparations and high-level security, and the specifics of the spacecraft are yet to be revealed. <br>No images of the spacecraft or its lift-off have yet to be released, and staff and visitors at the launch site were prevented from filming or discussing the project online, according to [http://search.usa.gov/search?affiliate=usagov&query=reports reports]. <br>A copy of an official document circulated online warned people not to film on the launch site or discuss the project online, according to [ ].<br>The official memo read: 'All units should strengthen personnel security education and personnel management during missions to ensure that there is no leakage of secrets.' <br> RELATED ARTICLES [# Previous] [# 1] [# Next] [/news/article-8380225/China-says-carry-Mars-exploration-July-August.html China says it will carry out its first Mars exploration in...] [/news/article-8697557/Taiwan-denies-shooting-Chinese-Su-35-fighter-jet-footage-shows-crashed-plane-fire.html Taiwan denies shooting down a Chinese Su-35 fighter jet...] [/news/article-8697279/UN-experts-raise-concerns-Hong-Kong-security-law.html China warns UN to stop 'meddling' in its affairs after human...] [/news/article-8693575/Chinese-school-brings-infantry-fighting-vehicle-teach-pupils-patriotism.html Chinese school brings an infantry fighting vehicle packed...] <br><br><br><br>Share this article<br>Share<br>23 shares<br><br><br>A Chinese military source suggested that the Chinese spacecraft was similar to the X-37B, a reusable robotic spacecraft launched by the US Air Force.<br><br>The file picture taken in April, [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/du-lich-trung-quoc-gia-re/ tour trung quoc] 2010 shows X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle in the encapsulation cell at the Astrotech facility in Titusville<br>A Chinese military source confirmed the authenticity of the notice to the Hong Kong newspaper and said: 'There are many firsts in this launch. <br>'The spacecraft is new, the launch method is also different.<br><br>That's why we need to make sure there is extra security.' <br>The source also suggested that the Chinese spacecraft was similar to the X-37B, a reusable robotic spacecraft launched by the US Air Force.<br>Also known as the Orbital Test Vehicle, the US's unmanned spacecraft takes off vertically and [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/du-lich-trung-quoc-gia-re/ kynghidongduong.vn] returns to the Earth horizontally on a runway landing.<br>The Boeing-made space plane has flown four secret, long-duration missions in Earth orbit to date. <br> On July 23, China launched its Tianwen-1 spacecraft (pictured) to Mars, which is due to arrive on the Red Planet next February after a seven-month, 34-million-mile voyage<br> A Long March-5 rocket carrying an orbiter, lander and rover as part of the Tianwen-1 mission to Mars, blasts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre on July 23 in Hainan, China<br>China revealed back in 2017 that it's planning to launch a spacecraft in 2020 that can fly like an aircraft and would be reusable, increasing the frequency of launches and lowering mission costs.<br>Last year, it became the first country to land a robot rover on the moon's little-seen far side, and in July this year launched its robot rover to Mars. <br>The Tianwen-1 is due to arrive on the Red Planet next February after a seven-month, 34-million-mile voyage.<br>The unmanned space probe took off aboard a Long March 5 Y-4 carrier rocket on July 23 from Wenchang Space Launch Centre on the southern island province of Hainan, China.<br>The craft, which consists of an orbiter, lander and rover, measures just over six feet in height (1.85m) and weighs 530 pounds (240kg).<br>It will survey the composition, types of substance, geological structure and meteorological environment of the Martian surface, and look for signs of alien life. <br>The launch of Tianwen-1 in July was sandwiched by the launch of two other missions to Mars by the US and the UAE. <br> <div class="art-ins mol-factbox sciencetech" data-version="2" id="mol-16bf2c70-f0f6-11ea-90d8-2354a27838a7" website quietly lands its ultra-secret experimental spacecraft
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