China unveils reusable cargo space shuttle Haolong
China's Chengdu Aviation Research Institute, together with the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), has unveiled the Haolong cargo spacecraft design. It was one of two winners of a competition announced by the China Manned Spaceflight Agency (CMSA)
Haolong is designed for low-cost cargo delivery to low-Earth orbit and return. The new spacecraft will play a key role in supporting the Tiangong orbital station. Unlike Tianzhou's disposable spacecraft, which burn up in the atmosphere along with loaded debris, Haolong will allow materials to be returned from orbit to Earth
Haolong is a 10-meter long and 8-meter wide vehicle with a payload capacity of 1.8 tons. The project is currently undergoing a critical proof-of-concept phase, after which construction will begin