Long March 10 Low-Altitude Demonstration Verification and Dream Ship Spacecraft Maximum Dynamic Pressure Escape Flight Test Successfully Conducted

On February 11, at the Wenchang Space Launch Site, China successfully conducted the low-altitude demonstration verification of the Long March 10 launch vehicle system and the maximum dynamic pressure escape flight test of the Dream Ship crewed spacecraft system.

This test is another developmental flight test organized after the Long March 10 launch vehicle tethered ignition, the Dream Ship crewed spacecraft zero-altitude escape flight, and the Moon landing module landing and takeoff comprehensive verification. It marks an important phased breakthrough in China’s crewed lunar exploration program.

According to the China Manned Space Agency, this test features many highlights, including a new model rocket, a new model spacecraft, a new launch site, and new tasks for sea recovery of the rocket and spacecraft. Both the rocket and spacecraft participating in the test are in prototype form. The rocket adopts a core stage single-stage configuration and has undergone two tethered ignition tests in the early stage; the spacecraft’s reentry capsule has completed zero-altitude escape flight tests in the early stage. To carry out this test, all related test products were adapted according to reusable requirements and procedures. Wenchang Space Launch Site adopted a strategy of simultaneous construction and use to overcome various difficulties and ensure the test was carried out as scheduled. The landing site system conducted targeted training and drills around the first sea splashdown recovery technology of the spacecraft reentry capsule.

At 11:00, the ground test command center issued the ignition command. The rocket ignited and lifted off, reaching the maximum dynamic pressure escape conditions of the spacecraft. The spacecraft received the escape command from the rocket and successfully separated and escaped. The first stage of the rocket and the spacecraft reentry capsule respectively splashed down safely in the designated sea area according to the procedure.

This test represents the first ignition flight of the Long March 10 launch vehicle in prototype state, the first maximum dynamic pressure escape test of China’s spacecraft, the first sea splashdown of China’s crewed spacecraft reentry capsule and rocket first stage, and also the first ignition flight test at the newly built launch site at Wenchang. The success of this test verified the functionality of the rocket’s first stage ascent and recovery segments, as well as the maximum dynamic pressure escape and recovery of the spacecraft. It also validated the compatibility of relevant system interfaces, accumulating valuable flight data and engineering experience for subsequent crewed lunar exploration missions.

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(Source: Xinhua News Agency)