The spacecraft can create a highly stable and multifunctional experimental environment.
The Chinese spacecraft designed for the development of space tourism has successfully completed a test flight on a suborbital trajectory. Using a parachute system, the returning capsule of the spacecraft with its payload safely landed at the Jiuquan launch site in Northwest China.
As reported by the Chinese commercial aerospace company CAS Space, which developed this spacecraft, the test flight verified technologies for deceleration after re-entry into the atmosphere and the return of the capsule, as well as the technology for precision landing control of the sub-stage of the aircraft, laying a technical foundation for the future development of the space tourism industry.
The "Lihong-1 Y1" spacecraft is capable of flying at altitudes of up to 120 km. It features low-cost launches, high flexibility, and the ability to return experimental payloads.
CAS Space noted that the spacecraft can create a highly stable and multifunctional experimental environment for scientific experimental payloads for more than 300 seconds. During the flight, the spacecraft carried samples of Chinese rose seeds. The seeds spent 300 seconds in space, where they were exposed to cosmic radiation that can cause genetic mutations, said the chief designer and project commander of "Lihong-1", Shi Xiaonin. After the return of these seeds to Earth, researchers will study them with the aim of breeding new high-quality varieties of roses, as well as creating a germplasm bank of space roses.
The deputy chief designer of "Lihong-1", Wang Yincheng, stated that the series of "Lihong" spacecraft will be scaled up and will provide the possibility of multiple reusability. Currently, numerous tests are being conducted to implement crew life support technologies and highly reliable emergency rescue, which will expand opportunities for conducting low-cost suborbital scientific experiments and commercial space travel.
In addition to rose seeds, the onboard payload also included equipment for laser additive manufacturing in microgravity, developed by the Mechanics Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. According to CAS Space, the possibility of using the rocket platform to support production in space has been preliminarily confirmed.
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