China has shown off a model of its future commercial uncrewed space shuttle at the AirShow China in Zhuhai this week. Seen publicly for the first time, the cargo shuttle, named Haoloong-1, or Sky Dragon, will ferry supplies back and forth to Tiangong Space Station.
The Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute under the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), has developed Haoloong-1. Chinese state media call it “a low-cost reusable cargo shuttle solution with Chinese characteristics to space exploration”.
The shuttle will be carried into space by a rocket. After completing its mission, return to Earth in a controlled glide akin to the former US space shuttles. Chief designer Fang Yuanpeng told The Global Times that the rear of the Haoloong-1 shuttle will dock with Tiangong. Space station crew can access the shuttle’s cargo bay to pick up and store goods. Haoloong-1 will then depart. After re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere, it will land on a conventional airport runway.
The shuttle is 10 metres long and 8 metres wide. It has folding wings and solar arrays and a 1.8 tonne cargo capacity. The model on display in Zhuhai is close to the same dimensions, allowing attendees to view a near full size replica. Chinese officials call Haoloong-1 a “revolutionary reusable spacecraft poised to transform space travel.” They say it will drastically cut the cost of transporting cargo to China’s space station.
Tiangong space station is a permanently crewed space station operated by China Manned Space Agency. It typically orbits between 350 and 450 kilometres above sea level and can house up to six astronauts.
The officials note that Haoloong-1’s large wingspan and high lift-to-drag ratio. They say this is typical of conventional aircraft and will help facilitate the controlled glide back to Earth. China’s current uncrewed cargo spacecraft, the Tianzhou, burns up upon re-entry.
“It’s reusability is a game-changer, significantly reducing mission costs,” the officials said.
AVIC wins cargo space vehicle design campaign
The China Manned Space Agency had issued an expressions of interest campaign, calling on domestic spacecraft manufacturers to submit proposals for a low-cost commercial uncrewed space shuttle transportation system to Tiangong. AVIC’s Haoloong-1 was announced as the winning proposal late last month. Fang Yuanpeng says the shuttle has entered the engineering development phase. He says that the public can expect to see an operational prototype soon.
Airshow China, which showcases Beijing’s civil and military aerospace sector every two years, is the country’s biggest air show event. Beijing has poured enormous resources into its space program to try to catch up with the United States.
Among other pieces of kit, the Chinese Air Force has publicly shown off its new J-35A medium-sized stealth fighter, the HQ-19 surface-to-air missile weapon system, and a new attack reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle for the first time. Alongside them and around 1,000 other exhibitors are aerospace players Airbus, Honeywell, Embraer and Thales. However, Boeing, which is reportedly looking to sell its space division, has skipped the event.
The AirShow China continues until November 17.
