Chinese reusable experimental spacecraft
| Spacecraft properties | |
|---|---|
| Spacecraft type | Reusable spacecraft |
| Start of mission | |
| Rocket | Long March 2F |
| Launch site | Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center |
| End of mission | |
| Landing site | Lop Nur, Runway 05 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
| Periapsis altitude | 332 km (206 mi) |
| Apoapsis altitude | 348 km (216 mi) |
| Inclination | 50.2° |
| Period | 90.0 minutes (?) |
The Chinese reusable experimental spacecraft (Chinese: 可重复使用试验航天器; pinyin: Kěchóngfùshǐyòng shìyàn hángtiānqì, CSSHQ) is the first reusable spacecraft produced by China. It embarked upon its initial orbital mission on 4 September 2020. According to media reports, the spacecraft is launched into Earth orbit in a vertical configuration while enclosed within the payload fairing of a rocket like a traditional satellite, but it returns to Earth via autonomous runway landing. In the absence of any official descriptions of the spacecraft or photographic depictions thereof, some observers have speculated that the spacecraft may resemble the X-37B spaceplane of the United States in both form and function.
Another reusable robotic spaceplane, Shenlong (simplified Chinese: 神龙; traditional Chinese: 神龍; pinyin: shén lóng; lit. 'divine dragon'), is currently in development. Only a few pictures have appeared in publications since it was revealed in late 2007.