Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – According to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, on February 11, China successfully conducted a low-altitude demonstration and verification of the Long March-10 carrier rocket system and a maximum dynamic pressure escape flight test of the Mengzhou manned spacecraft system at the Wenchang Space Launch Site.
This test, following the tethered ignition of the Long March-10 carrier rocket, the zero-altitude escape flight of the Mengzhou manned spacecraft, and the comprehensive verification of the lunar lander's landing and takeoff, is another developmental flight test, marking a significant breakthrough in the development of China's manned lunar exploration program.
It is understood that this test featured many highlights, including a new type of rocket, a new type of spacecraft, a new launch pad, and a new mission for the sea recovery of the rocket and spacecraft. Both the rocket and spacecraft involved in the test were in their prototype state.
The rocket adopted a core-stage single-stage configuration and underwent two tethered ignition tests in the preliminary stages; the spacecraft's return capsule underwent a zero-altitude escape flight test in the preliminary stages. To conduct this test, all participating products underwent adaptive modifications according to reusable requirements and procedures. The Wenchang Space Launch Site, adhering to a strategy of simultaneous construction and use, overcame various difficulties to ensure the test was carried out on schedule. The landing site system conducted targeted training and drills focusing on the technical challenges of the spacecraft's first sea splashdown and recovery of the return capsule.
At 11:00 AM, the ground test command center issued the ignition command, the rocket ignited and lifted off, reaching the spacecraft's maximum dynamic pressure escape conditions. The spacecraft received the escape command from the rocket and successfully separated and escaped. The rocket's first stage and the spacecraft's return capsule were safely splashed down in the designated sea area according to procedures.
This test successfully verified the functional performance of the rocket's first-stage ascent and recovery phases, as well as the spacecraft's maximum dynamic pressure escape and recovery. It also verified the compatibility of the interfaces of various engineering systems, accumulating valuable flight data and engineering experience for subsequent manned lunar exploration missions. This test marked the first ignition flight of the Long March 10 carrier rocket in its prototype state, China's first maximum dynamic pressure escape test of a spacecraft, China's first sea splashdown of the manned spacecraft return capsule and the first stage of the rocket, and the first ignition flight test mission performed at the newly built launch pad at the Wenchang Space Launch Site. (End)
