China Conducts Largest 12km VTVL Test of Reusable Launch Vehicle on June 23

Jun 23, 2024, 06:51 AM

China has successfully conducted its first 10-kilometer vertical takeoff and landing (VTVL) flight test of a reusable launch vehicle, marking the largest such test in the country to date. The test, conducted on June 23, was completed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) using a 3.8-meter diameter test article powered by three methalox engines. This is the highest altitude reached by any reusable VTVL test in China, with the vehicle reaching an altitude of 12 kilometers. However, there have been reports of a Chinese booster stage crashing into a local village, raising concerns about safety protocols in the country's space program.