An illustration of a spacecraft. /CFP
China's reusable experimental spacecraft successfully returned to its designated landing site on Friday after 268 days of flight in orbit.
The spacecraft was launched in last December aboard a Long March-2F carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Its mission was to conduct reusable technology verification and space science experiments to provide technical support for the peaceful use of space.
This achievement underscores the growing maturity of China's reusable spacecraft technology, paving the way for more convenient and cost-effective space travel for peaceful purposes in the future.
China previously launched reusable experimental spacecraft in September 2020 and August 2022, which respectively spent two days and 276 days in orbit before returning to their designated landing sites.