Futuristic design explores new concepts

China launched a futuristic space vehicle on Tuesday to examine a new concept of bringing in-space cargo back to Earth, according to an official at the China Manned Space Agency.

The Flexible Inflatable Cargo Reentry Vehicle, the first of its kind in China, was launched into low-Earth orbit atop a Long March 5B carrier rocket during the rocket's debut flight from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province and will conduct a re-entry test to return to Earth on Wednesday, Ji Qiming, assistant to the agency director, said at a news conference in Wenchang.

The test will be the first orbital re-entry experiment by an inflatable vehicle in the world, he noted.

Developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp, a major space contractor, the craft will unfold itself before commencing re-entry procedures. First, the protective cover will be unlocked and thrown away. Then the vehicle will start to inflate itself and become reverse umbrella-shaped so it can achieve self-stability and good deceleration. After piercing through the blackout layer in the atmosphere, it will send out position signals to guide ground recovery personnel.

The craft employs a host of cutting-edge technologies such as the inflatable deployable deceleration and lightweight flexible heat-resistance, and has three separate cabins to contain the inflatable cell, electronic components and propulsion apparatus, said Fu Shiming, the vehicle's chief designer at CASIC Second Academy.

He said that it will offer a new solution for space cargo retrieval, featuring several advantages such as strong carrying capacity, low cost, good compatibility and high safety.

During Tuesday's mission, the experimental vehicle also carried hemp crops, probiotic strains, stem cells and semiconductor materials for scientific research in space breeding, space medicine and new materials.

Next, designers will explore the feasibility of modifying the vehicle into a delivery craft that can deliver goods to any point on the globe within an hour, Fu said.

A defense technology conglomerate, CASIC has been investing heavily in advanced space technologies in recent years.

The State-owned giant has carried out 10 space launches with its Kuaizhou solid-propellant rockets. It is also building the Wuhan National Space Industry Base, China's first commercial space industry hub, in Wuhan's Xinzhou district.