China successfully completes first sea recovery mission of return capsule of crewed spacecraft

The return capsule of China’s new-generation crewed Mengzhou spacecraft successfully splashed down in the designated maritime area during a flight test. The completion of the first mission to search for and recover the spacecraft’s return capsule was reported by the Belt and Road News Network (BRNN), citing the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The operation was carried out during low-altitude flight tests of the “Long March-10” carrier rocket systems, as well as of the Mengzhou spacecraft systems under conditions of maximum dynamic pressure.

It is noted that the mission to search for and recover the return capsule of the Mengzhou spacecraft has enabled China to gain valuable experience for subsequent missions related to the application and development of the space station, as well as for a future crewed lunar landing.

According to the CMSA, the Mengzhou spacecraft is primarily intended for the implementation of China’s crewed lunar programme and may also be used to support the operation of the near-Earth space station. Its return capsule is designed for multiple reuse.